Riddlestown was in tremendous form around this time last year, completing a four-timer including victories over hurdles and fences here though all of those wins came on much faster ground than he'll face here. So Satisfied took advantage of very heavy ground to land a Class 5 at Catterick but never got involved when stepped up to this grade at Market Rasen next time. ACHILLE hasn't won since arriving from France but produced a much better effort at Wincanton last time and this looks his turn under his 7lb claiming rider. Successful point-to-pointer Solid Strike hasn't shown much over regulation fences while Sonoftheking was a long way behind the selection last time.
Achille (FR) 9-1 (12-0) With leader, led 2nd, ridden before 3 out, headed before 2 out, kept on and always held run-in, 2nd of 9, 2 1/2l behind Cucklington (11-10) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp (4) hvy in Mar.
Solid Strike 13-2 (11-7) Mid-division, headway before 12th, reminders after 5 out, weakened from 3 out, 6th of 9, 30 1/4l behind Shockingtimes (11-4) at Haydock 2m 7f hcp (4) sft in Mar.
Riddlestown (IRE) 14-1 (11-11) Raced wide, tracked leaders, jumped right 5th, challenged 10th, 3rd and no chance with winner 2 out, 3rd of 5, 28 1/2l behind The Bay Birch (10-13) at Towcester 2m 4f hcp (4) hvy in Mar.
Sonoftheking (IRE) 10-1 (11-12) Always towards rear, remote 4th from 4 out, never dangerous, 4th of 9, dist behind Cucklington (11-10) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp (4) hvy in Mar.
So Satisfied 9-4 (11-12) Towards rear, outpaced 5 out, plugged on from 4 out, went 4th before 2 out, kept on same pace, 4th of 7, 22l behind Mahler Lad (11-12) at Musselburgh 3m hcp (4) gs in Feb.
