ARMAGH’s Robyn Catterall and her 15-year-old grey gelding Arctic Eclipse will be one of the combinations escorting the Topham Chase winner back to the enclosure at next year’s Randox Grand National meeting following their great results at the Aintree National Show last weekend.

The annual three-day fixture stages a wide variety of classes, from hunters and working hunters to show jumping and dressage (many with Horse of the Year Show, Olympia and Royal International Horse Show qualification) but Robyn was there for the two days of affiliated Side Saddle Association classes, competing in seven of these.

Draught blood

The records show that she and the grey, who has no recorded pedigree but certainly looks to have plenty of Irish Draught blood, won the veteran horse/pony class and the riding club horse/pony class.

They were second in the Aintree traditional adult equitation class, the adult equitation class, the best horse/pony class and the Concours d’Elegance. They were also third in the champagne challenge.

Finally, Robyn and Arctic Eclipse, and the first and second-placed combinations from all side saddle classes, contested the Aintree Picture of Elegance championship were they stood reserve champion to Lizzie Harries and the ex-racehorse Wild West who, of course, does have a recorded pedigree.

The 11-year-old Irish-bred gelding is by Galileo out of the Head For Heights mare Monumental Gesture. The chesnut, who is a half-brother to Rhinestone Cowboy (by Be My Native) and Wichita Lineman (by King’s Theatre), finished second twice (once in a bumper and once over hurdles) when trained by Jonjo O’Neill for J.P. McManus.