Racing's Best Ratings With Timeform Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:27 | Winning time: 6m 3.9s

Richmond Lake²⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 146

5/1

Quickly got his act together over fences last season and progressed again to complete a four-timer in 9-runner handicap chase at Aintree in December. However, below par at Cheltenham and Doncaster since so needs to get back on track.

Form: 11-1149

Empire Steel⁵²

2/1

Took this event in 2022 and posted a good second of six in handicap chase at Wetherby (24.2f, heavy) 52 days ago, hindered by error 3 out. Since had a wind op and merits serious consideration eased 1 lb.

Form: 7018-32

Nells Son^p²⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: Danny McMenamin| T: N G Richards| OR: 134| C

5/2

Scored on his return to chasing at Carlisle (2m) in October and not discredited when fourth of 10 in handicap chase at Doncaster (16.4f, good) 20 days ago. Shortlisted.

Form: F88-134

Whoshotthesheriff²²

Age: 10| Weight: 10-11| J: Ross Chapman| T: P A Kirby| OR: 129

50/1

Won a couple of times in 2021/22 but lightly raced since and pulled up after 14 months off in handicap chase at Wetherby (19.4f, heavy) 22 days ago. Has something to prove.

Form: P15/25-P

Ned Tanner⁴⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-2| J: Sean Quinlan| T: N W Alexander| OR: 119| C

11/4

Scored twice over fences here last season and arrives in decent nick, third of 7 in handicap chase at Haydock (19.9f, heavy) 48 days ago. Possibilities.

Form: 12-52U3

Forecasts

Empire Steel (2/1), Nells Son (5/2), Ned Tanner (11/4), Richmond Lake (5/1), Whoshotthesheriff (50/1)

EMPIRE STEEL found a late error proving costly when runner-up at Wetherby last time out and, now back after a wind op, is taken to repeat his success in the 2022 running. Nells Son and Ned Tanner both arrive in good form and can chase home Sandy Thomson's veteran in that order.