held up in touch, not fluent 6th and next, outpaced 3 out, went 3rd next, soon ridden, kept on, not fluent last, no impression with front pair
tracked leader, led after 3rd, headed when hit 4 out, outpaced next, 2 lengths down 2 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace, held flat
led to after 3rd, tracked leader to before 8th, close up in 3rd, ridden after next, soon one pace, no impression in 4th from 2 out
tracked front pair, went 2nd before 8th, led 4 out, 2 lengths clear when pecked 2 out, driven and stayed on well flat, in command when ridden out towards finish
held up in touch, lost action approaching 9th, quickly pulled up soon after
Acdc ran well at Ayr in the spring but has yet to win over fences south of the border and will find it tougher this season against more seasoned handicappers. Charlie Longsdon won this in 2013 and has taken Willie Boy off the hands of Venetia Williams. He’s had wind surgery since falling in a Grade 3 at the Cheltenham Festival and could figure as he goes well fresh. BALLYANDY also comes to hand early, however, and he’s having just his fourth run over fences. A classy bumper and hurdler, he can defy his big weight. A race-fit Rear Admiral is just preferred to the returning Katachenko of the others.
Ballyandy 11-4jfav (11-10) Not fluent in rear, reminders and struggling after 8th, lost touch 11th, tailed off when pulled up 13th, at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (2) sft in Jan.
Willie Boy (IRE) 14-1 (10-9) Prominent on outside, hit 11th, blundered 5 out, soon lost place, under pressure when fell next, at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (1) sft in Mar.
Katachenko (IRE) 10-1 (11-8) Mid-division, headway 2nd, ridden 3 out, 4th and beaten from 2 out, one pace, 4th of 10, 17 1/2l behind Martiloo (10-2) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in May.
Acdc (IRE) 10-1 (10-8) In touch, not fluent 10th, close 2nd 4 out, 3rd and held final 50 yards, 3rd of 16, 3l behind Crosshue Boy (11-5) at Ayr 3m hcp (2) gd in Apr.
Rear Admiral (IRE) 7-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders, took keen hold, went 2nd after 3 out, not fluent and no impression next, 2nd of 3, 11l behind Templehills (12-2) at Warwick 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Oct.
