Pateman After Another Grand National Record

Just a fortnight after setting a metric weight-carrying record on Black And Bent in the Grand National Hurdle (3900m), leading jumps jockey Steven Pateman is out to do it again with Bashboy in the Grand National Steeplechase (4500m) at Sandown on Sunday.

Bashboy will break a metric weight-carrying record if he wins the Grand National Steeplechase at Sandown on Sunday. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia

Bashboy, who is undefeated over the sticks, has been allocated 72.5kg by the handicapper, four kilograms more than he carried to win the race last year.

Despite the heavy weight Bashboy is a clear favourite to extend his winning streak over jumps to nine races in a row after comfortable victories in the Thackeray Steeplechase (3450m) at Warrnambool and the Crisp Steeplechase (3900m) at Sandown.

Pateman is full of confidence about the rising ten-year-olds chances and is clearly looking forward to make history again on Sunday.

“This is what handicap racing is all about, you shouldn’t complain or blue about it, if you don’t want to carry the weight don’t run,” Pateman told Racing Victoria.

“It’s great going in confident knowing how well he’s going at home.

“He’s thriving on racing; Ciaron Maher has done a great job getting him right at the right time and have him peaking for the National.”

Bashboy will face only six challengers in the Grand National Steeplechase on Sunday and Pateman believes Jarrod McLean-trained Cats Fun is the major danger.

“He’s only up 1kg for his Warrnambool win and he meets a similar field,” Pateman said.

“The hardest to beat is Cats Fun, he meets us better at the weights, but I feel Bashboy is a better stayer than him and the rest of the field.

Pateman is aiming to claim his third Grand National Steeplechase title after previously winning the race on Bashboy last year and Chris Hyland-trained Liquid Lunch in 2005.

About The Author

Thomas Hackett

Thomas is a passionate and opinionated racing journalist and punter who has been obsessed with horse racing since he backed Saintly to win the 1996 Melbourne Cup. An international racing enthusiast, he has his finger on the pulse of racing news not just from Australia but all around the world.