Paxtons For Kverneland In The Borders Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:20 | Winning time: 6m 58.20s

Potterman⁹⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Tom Cannon| T: A King| OR: 147WS

5/1

Awarded bet365 Chase at Sandown last spring. Just as good when second in Badger Beer at Wincanton but pulled up in Ladbrokes Trophy and over hurdles since. Has since had a wind op and needs to get back on track.

Form: U1-P2PP

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Empire Steel³⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-11| J: Ryan Mania| T: A M Thomson| OR: 146| C

5/4

Back to winning ways in 6-runner handicap chase here (21.6f) 36 days ago. Effective over this longer trip but all his wins have come in the mud.

Form: 1P-2FP1

Big River^p,t²¹

Age: 12| Weight: 11-9| J: T Scudamore| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 144| CD

7/2

Veteran staying chaser who is a 5-time course winner. Posted another good effort here when fourth in listed chase (23.4f) 21 days ago, so a bold showing is very much on the cards.

Form: P0-2114

Rath An Iuir²⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 10-8| J: Craig Nichol| T: R Dobbin| OR: 129

3/1

Landed his first two starts in this sphere at Carlisle last season. Off 13 months and below par both runs this term however, sixth in handicap chase at Newcastle (33.2f) 28 days ago. Needs to step forward.

Form: 22/11-56

Forecasts

Empire Steel (5/4), Rath An Iuir (3/1), Big River (7/2), Potterman (5/1)

BIG RIVER has a fine record round here and is enjoying another good season too so is fancied to bag win number six. Empire Steel is weighted to have a big say but all his victories have come under much more testing conditions which tempers enthusiasm. Potterman and Rath An Iuir both have questions to answer too.