14.20

J: David Bass

T: Kim Bailey

4/1 (Won)

Win: £7.00
Place: £2.70

Form: 1210-F C

Last run: 22 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 152

Form & Verdict

Triple novice chase winner last season, once here (on good) but most notably in a gruelling Grade 2 at Ascot (3m, soft); well beaten when making handicap debut at the Festival here; had wind surgery since but no chance to show the benefit on his reappearance three weeks ago as he was hampered at the first and fell; should bring potential to his handicap over a new trip.

Place / No / Draw	Date / Going / Distance / Class	Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer	Verdict	Starting price
3rd 1	16th Apr 2025 Good 3m 2f 0y Class 2	16:25 Cheltenham Does He Know 12st 0lb J: Ciaran Gethings T: Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls	Very useful staying chaser when on song and has pretty good record at Cheltenham; pulled up at Exeter two starts ago and didn't find much at the business end when third of four at Carlisle (3m, good) last month but it won't be a surprise if he runs a big race here.	11/2
3rd 1	16th Apr 2025 Good 3m 2f 0y Class 2	16:25 Cheltenham Does He Know 12st 0lb J: Ciaran Gethings T: Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls	Very useful staying chaser when on song and has pretty good record at Cheltenham; pulled up at Exeter two starts ago and didn't find much at the business end when third of four at Carlisle (3m, good) last month but it won't be a surprise if he runs a big race here.	11/2
3rd 1	23rd Mar 2025 Good 3m 0f 110y Class 2	16:30 Carlisle Does He Know 12st 0lb J: Tom Bellamy T: Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls	taken down early, raced in second, pressed leader 13th, led narrowly 3 out, headed when hit last, weakened and lost second run-in	9/4

Place /
No / Draw

Date / Going /
Distance / Class

Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer

Verdict

Starting price

3rd

1

16th Apr 2025

Good

3m 2f 0y

Class 2

16:25 Cheltenham

T: Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls

12st 0lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

Very useful staying chaser when on song and has pretty good record at Cheltenham; pulled up at Exeter two starts ago and didn't find much at the business end when third of four at Carlisle (3m, good) last month but it won't be a surprise if he runs a big race here.

11/2

3rd

1

16th Apr 2025

Good

3m 2f 0y

Class 2

16:25 Cheltenham

T: Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls

12st 0lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

Very useful staying chaser when on song and has pretty good record at Cheltenham; pulled up at Exeter two starts ago and didn't find much at the business end when third of four at Carlisle (3m, good) last month but it won't be a surprise if he runs a big race here.

11/2

3rd

1

23rd Mar 2025

Good

3m 0f 110y

Class 2

16:30 Carlisle

T: Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls

12st 0lb

J: Tom Bellamy

taken down early, raced in second, pressed leader 13th, led narrowly 3 out, headed when hit last, weakened and lost second run-in

9/4

2nd

4

Evas Oskar

J: Alan Johns

T: Tim Vaughan

10/1

Place: £2.60

Form: 2P41-6

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 1lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 139

Form & Verdict

Second in a 3m1f novice handicap here last December; won at Exeter (3m, heavy) in March in a first-time visor (kept since), which pointed to a strength of stamina, and he might have needed the run when sixth at Kelso (3m2f; every chance two out) three weeks ago; needs overall improvement, though.

Place / No / Draw	Date / Going / Distance / Class	Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer	Verdict	Starting price
6th 9	3rd Apr 2025 Good To Soft 2m 5f 19y Class 2	16:05 Aintree Evas Oskar 12st 0lb J: Mr Edward Vaughan T: Tim Vaughan	Running well in the 2023 Grand National when he unseated at the 21st; confined to only four runs in the meantime and he'll need to find plenty on his recent hunter chase exploits (narrowly beaten by Captain Tommy last time).	33/1
9	3rd Apr 2025 Good To Soft 2m 5f 19y Class 2	16:05 Aintree Evas Oskar 12st 0lb J: Mr Edward Vaughan T: Tim Vaughan	Running well in the 2023 Grand National when he unseated at the 21st; confined to only four runs in the meantime and he'll need to find plenty on his recent hunter chase exploits (narrowly beaten by Captain Tommy last time).	33/1
2nd 3	5th Mar 2025 Good 3m 1f 54y Class 5	17:00 Catterick Evas Oskar 12st 2lb J: Mr Edward Vaughan T: Tim Vaughan	prominent, went second 5th, pushed along after 5 out, outpaced and lost second 3 out, soon ridden, rallied and went second again last, stayed on and challenging towards finish, just held	7/4

Place /
No / Draw

Date / Going /
Distance / Class

Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer

Verdict

Starting price

6th

9

3rd Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 5f 19y

Class 2

12st 0lb

Running well in the 2023 Grand National when he unseated at the 21st; confined to only four runs in the meantime and he'll need to find plenty on his recent hunter chase exploits (narrowly beaten by Captain Tommy last time).

33/1

9

3rd Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 5f 19y

Class 2

12st 0lb

Running well in the 2023 Grand National when he unseated at the 21st; confined to only four runs in the meantime and he'll need to find plenty on his recent hunter chase exploits (narrowly beaten by Captain Tommy last time).

33/1

2nd

3

5th Mar 2025

Good

3m 1f 54y

Class 5

12st 2lb

prominent, went second 5th, pushed along after 5 out, outpaced and lost second 3 out, soon ridden, rallied and went second again last, stayed on and challenging towards finish, just held

7/4

3rd

6

Back On The Lash

J: Sean Bowen

T: Martin Keighley

13/2

Place: £2.00

Form: 15P-92 C

Last run: 51 days

W: 10st 13lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 137

Form & Verdict

Cross-country winner here (3m6f, good) one year ago but that race is not being staged this time round; out of form in the spring but he was second of five in a hurdle race in September, signalling a possible return to form; peak ratings have been on good ground.

Place / No / Draw	Date / Going / Distance / Class	Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer	Verdict	Starting price
3	7th May 2025 Good 3m 1f 170y Class 4	15:50 Newton Abbot Back On The Lash 11st 8lb J: Sean Bowen T: Martin Keighley	in touch with leaders, outpaced and dropped to rear 10th, lost touch 13th, pulled up before 14th	8/1
3	7th May 2025 Good 3m 1f 170y Class 4	15:50 Newton Abbot Back On The Lash 11st 8lb J: Sean Bowen T: Martin Keighley	Very inconsistent in recent years but proved he retains ability when commendable third from out of the weights in cross-country chase at Cheltenham (3m5f, good) in November, and his run in a conventional chase there (3m4f, good) three weeks ago was a fair bit better than eventual 46l defeat might suggest; in calmer waters here and not discounted.	8/1
7th 10	16th Apr 2025 Good 3m 4f 21y Class 3	15:15 Cheltenham Back On The Lash 11st 8lb J: Sean Bowen T: Martin Keighley	Proved he retains ability when commendable third from out of the weights in cross-country chase here (3m5f, good) in November but his subsequent form in orthodox handicap chases is not compelling.	12/1

Place /
No / Draw

Date / Going /
Distance / Class

Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer

Verdict

Starting price

3

7th May 2025

Good

3m 1f 170y

Class 4

11st 8lb

in touch with leaders, outpaced and dropped to rear 10th, lost touch 13th, pulled up before 14th

8/1

3

7th May 2025

Good

3m 1f 170y

Class 4

11st 8lb

Very inconsistent in recent years but proved he retains ability when commendable third from out of the weights in cross-country chase at Cheltenham (3m5f, good) in November, and his run in a conventional chase there (3m4f, good) three weeks ago was a fair bit better than eventual 46l defeat might suggest; in calmer waters here and not discounted.

8/1

7th

10

16th Apr 2025

Good

3m 4f 21y

Class 3

11st 8lb

Proved he retains ability when commendable third from out of the weights in cross-country chase here (3m5f, good) in November but his subsequent form in orthodox handicap chases is not compelling.

12/1

4th

9

Indy Five

J: Stan Sheppard

T: David Dennis

20/1

Form: 21P-27

Last run: 21 days

W: 10st 8lb

12 yo Gelding

OR: 132

Form & Verdict

Unraced here; front-running veteran who can be potent on his day and last season was his best for ages, including wins at Doncaster and Newbury; close call at Aintree in May and may well have needed his run there three weeks ago, but whether he can give them all the slip and hold them off at this track remains to be seen.

Place / No / Draw	Date / Going / Distance / Class	Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer	Verdict	Starting price
10th 13	7th Jan 2023 Soft 3m 0f 37y Class 2	15:00 Sandown Indy Five 11st 0lb J: Stan Sheppard T: David Dennis	Often front-runner; remains very sprightly, including for two wins last season and when fourth at Cheltenham on the second of his three runs late last year; however, no show in this contest last term and there's a suspicion that this race will prove too competitive.	33/1
4th 3	3rd Dec 2022 Soft 3m 0f 45y Class 3	13:23 Wetherby Indy Five 11st 11lb J: Mr Jack Andrews T: David Dennis	led	11/4
4th 9	13th Nov 2022 Good 3m 3f 71y Class 1	14:20 Cheltenham Indy Five 10st 8lb J: Stan Sheppard T: David Dennis	prominent, led 3 out, ridden and headed 2 out, 2 lengths down when not fluent last, lost two places run-in	20/1

Place /
No / Draw

Date / Going /
Distance / Class

Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer

Verdict

Starting price

10th

13

7th Jan 2023

Soft

3m 0f 37y

Class 2

11st 0lb

Often front-runner; remains very sprightly, including for two wins last season and when fourth at Cheltenham on the second of his three runs late last year; however, no show in this contest last term and there's a suspicion that this race will prove too competitive.

33/1

4th

3

3rd Dec 2022

Soft

3m 0f 45y

Class 3

11st 11lb

led

11/4

4th

9

13th Nov 2022

Good

3m 3f 71y

Class 1

10st 8lb

prominent, led 3 out, ridden and headed 2 out, 2 lengths down when not fluent last, lost two places run-in

20/1

5th

12

Forgot To Ask

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Tom George

10/1

Form: 2P-132 D

Last run: 37 days

W: 10st 6lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 130

Form & Verdict

Reliable sort who's largely kept to good ground these days; won at Stratford (3m3f; 3lb higher today) in May and shaped encouragingly last month after a summer break; it's hard to say he's the best handicapped in this field but, if he takes to this course at this first attempt, today's race might play to a lot of his strengths.

Place / No / Draw	Date / Going / Distance / Class	Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer	Verdict	Starting price
5th 1	31st May 2023 Good 3m 1f 170y Class 3	14:30 Newton Abbot Forgot To Ask 12st 0lb J: Charlie Deutsch T: Tom George	Recorded his fourth chase win when scoring off 5lb higher at Stratford (3m3f, good) last May but he's been generally disappointing since and was well-held sixth at Kempton on his recent return from a break; now goes back up in trip but has bit to prove and he needs to get back near best.	8/1
6th 5	1st May 2023 Good 3m 0f 0y Class 3	15:40 Kempton Forgot To Ask 11st 6lb J: Charlie Deutsch T: Tom George	Back to the mark of his near-3m4f Stratford handicap chase win of May 2022; below par last autumn (markedly so latest), but proven defier of absences of over 100 days and a sound surface would be appreciated.	16/1
6	10th Apr 2023 Good To Soft 2m 7f 131y Class 3	14:35 Chepstow Forgot To Ask 11st 1lb J: Sean Houlihan T: Tom George	Not seen since three below-par runs in the autumn but has often gone well when fresh before and is now back on same mark as when gaining clearcut win at Stratford (3m3f, good) at start of this season; will be suited by today's drying ground; worth a second look.	12/1

Place /
No / Draw

Date / Going /
Distance / Class

Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer

Verdict

Starting price

5th

1

31st May 2023

Good

3m 1f 170y

Class 3

12st 0lb

Recorded his fourth chase win when scoring off 5lb higher at Stratford (3m3f, good) last May but he's been generally disappointing since and was well-held sixth at Kempton on his recent return from a break; now goes back up in trip but has bit to prove and he needs to get back near best.

8/1

6th

5

1st May 2023

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 3

11st 6lb

Back to the mark of his near-3m4f Stratford handicap chase win of May 2022; below par last autumn (markedly so latest), but proven defier of absences of over 100 days and a sound surface would be appreciated.

16/1

6

10th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

2m 7f 131y

Class 3

11st 1lb

Not seen since three below-par runs in the autumn but has often gone well when fresh before and is now back on same mark as when gaining clearcut win at Stratford (3m3f, good) at start of this season; will be suited by today's drying ground; worth a second look.

12/1

OUR TIP

6th

3

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

3/1

Form: 2317P-

Last run: 225 days

W: 11st 4lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 142

Form & Verdict

All starts have been on softer than good; raised his game sent chasing last season, including at this track; ended that campaign on a disappointing note in the Scottish National (11-1) but should resume with clear potential for staying handicaps.

Place / No / Draw	Date / Going / Distance / Class	Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer	Verdict	Starting price
4	17th Apr 2025 Good To Soft 2m 7f 177y Class 4	17:12 Ffos Las Fantastikas 11st 11lb J: James Turner T: Nigel Twiston-Davies	led, headed 14th, weakened before 4 out, pulled up before 3 out	10/1
4	17th Apr 2025 Good To Soft 2m 7f 177y Class 4	17:12 Ffos Las Fantastikas 11st 11lb J: James Turner T: Nigel Twiston-Davies	No win since January 2022; shaped reasonably well when third at Uttoxeter (3m, soft) in December but lesser efforts at Haydock and Plumpton since temper enthusiasm; first run since January.	10/1
4th 1	27th Jan 2025 Soft 3m 1f 152y Class 4	15:50 Plumpton Fantastikas 12st 0lb J: Mr Toby McCain-Mitchell T: Nigel Twiston-Davies	Returned to form when keeping on for third at Uttoxeter (3m, soft) in early December but failed to really build on that when a well-held fourth at Haydock three weeks later, albeit in a higher grade; hasn't won for three years but he's plied his trade at a higher level for some time and could find life easier contesting a class 4 with a capable 7lb-claiming amateur booked.	9/2

Place /
No / Draw

Date / Going /
Distance / Class

Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer

Verdict

Starting price

4

17th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 177y

Class 4

17:12 Ffos Las

11st 11lb

J: James Turner

led, headed 14th, weakened before 4 out, pulled up before 3 out

10/1

4

17th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 177y

Class 4

17:12 Ffos Las

11st 11lb

J: James Turner

No win since January 2022; shaped reasonably well when third at Uttoxeter (3m, soft) in December but lesser efforts at Haydock and Plumpton since temper enthusiasm; first run since January.

10/1

4th

1

27th Jan 2025

Soft

3m 1f 152y

Class 4

15:50 Plumpton

J: Mr Toby McCain-Mitchell

12st 0lb