Paxtons Use Romero Insurance Brokers Handicap Chase

Off time: 16:33 | Winning time: 4m 50.10s

General Mahler^p1,t¹⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: B S Hughes| T: B Ellison| OR: 111| BF| C

10/11

Beat all bar Loch Linnhe when runner up at Hexham on his most recent start (2m4f good), and should be able to win races over fences from his current handicap mark. Wears first time cheek-pieces.

Form: 243F8-2

Red Giant²⁰⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: David Noonan| T: J Candlish| OR: 108

12/1

The 'winner' of the 3m Perth void race fiasco in September, who thankfully for connections managed to scramble home on his next start at Kelso (2m5½f good). Quieter when last seen in October 2017, but not ruled out on his return to the track.

Form: 56V177-

Quick Brew^t²⁵²

Age: 10| Weight: 11-4| J: Dale Irving⁽³⁾| T: M A Barnes| OR: 103

14/1

At his best around Hexham (a two-time winner there), but has also proved himself to be effective elsewhere. Off the track since early September, so might feasibly need this race, but was a C&D runner up in May 2017 from a 2lb higher mark.

Form: 7/27325-

Oscar O'scar^v1²⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-2| J: Finian O'Toole⁽³⁾| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 101| CD

4/1

C&D winner in February 2016, and beaten in a three-way photo here on Boxing Day when edged out by Dica (soft). Could prove sharper for his recent Kelso run with the first time visor now applied.

Form: P44536-

Trust Me I'm A Dr¹⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 10-0| J: Thomas Dowson⁽³⁾| T: V Thompson| OR: 79

66/1

A 15 race maiden in point-to-points, and hasn't set the world alight under rules either, so barring accidents about the only thing that can be taken on trust is that he'll not be winning.

Form: PP4P6-P

Notonebuttwo²²

Age: 11| Weight: 10-0| J: K Yeoman⁽⁷⁾| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 73| C

10/3

Beaten just over 5L at Hexham last month (third) on his final start for Kenny Johnson. Capable between 2m4f-3m in his yesteryear for Chris Grant, but can his new trainer revive him at the grand old age of eleven?

Form: 0U5P43-

Non-Runners

Border Breaker²¹

Weight: 11-6| Age: 9

T: S England J: Non Runner

Forecasts

General Mahler (10/11), Notonebuttwo (10/3), Oscar O'scar (4/1), Border Breaker (5/1), Red Giant (12/1), Quick Brew (14/1), Trust Me I'm A Dr (66/1)

More than a few of these horses are either returning from extended breaks or are based with new connections, so there are possible reasons to expect improved efforts. However, Oscar O'scar is fairly proficient around Sedgefield and could be suited by the application of the visor if stripping fitter for a recent spin at Kelso, but the top-weighted first time cheek-pieced GENERAL MAHLER is the form horse. The pick of his chasing efforts are more than good enough to take this race with relative ease, and he showed his well-being when beaten just 1L by Loch Linnhe (pair clear) at Hexham earlier this month.