15:05 Kelso

I still want to keep the faith with EMPIRE STEEL despite his recent record. He is definitely a horse with untapped potential and I’m convinced he’s going to put it altogether sooner rather than later. His second to Strictlyadancer on return at Haydock was really encouraging and he was in the process of going close when coming down 4 out at Wetherby on Boxing Day. He jumped poorly when pulling up in the Peter Marsh but I think he had excuses that day. This is obviously much calmer waters and if he bounces back dropped 4lb he is going to have a big say in the outcome here. Pay The Piper is the danger but he has been turned over as favourite the last twice and might not have much more to come off his current mark. Silver Hallmark has a fair bit to prove too but it wouldn’t surprise me if he managed to run a big race as well.

Empire Steel - 1pt @ 3/1