April 29 / 14.50 Sandown

14.50

Good

bet365 Oaksey Chase (Grade 2) (For The Menorah Challenge Trophy) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £45560
  • 2m 6f 164y
  • Class 1
  • 7 runners
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bet365 Oaksey Chase (Grade 2) (For The Menorah Challenge Trophy) (GBB Race)

Runners: 7 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

Form: -21U1F C

Last run: 43 days

W: 11st 6lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 168

Form & Verdict
A rags to riches success story for this yard and, although headed when falling two out in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, he never looked out of place in that exalted company; won the big 3m5f chase on this card 12 months ago but he's not short of speed and conditions should be about ideal for him; best days have come on good ground but it was soft at the Festival; difficult to knock on these favourable terms.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

1

30th Apr 2026

Yielding

2m 7f 110y

16:15 Punchestown

Hewick

12st 0lb

J: Paddy Hanlon

T: John Joseph Hanlon

Has been a fantastic standard-bearer for his yard, winning 12 races between hurdles and fences including the King George in 2023; hasn't been at that level in the last year but ran respectably in the Stayers' Hurdle; has to bounce back from a poor Aintree run.

20/1

3

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 149y

Class 1

15:05 Aintree

Hewick

11st 10lb

J: Paddy Hanlon

T: John Joseph Hanlon

Career highlight when winning the King George over fences at Kempton in December 2023; won two conditions hurdles last year; gave it a very good go from the front when seventh in the Stayers' Hurdle at Cheltenham (3m, good) last month following wind surgery but this 11yo is probably vulnerable once more.

22/1

7th

5

12th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 213y

Class 1

15:20 Cheltenham

Hewick

11st 10lb

J: Paddy Hanlon

T: John Joseph Hanlon

Career highlight when winning the 2023 King George and he was running well when falling two out in the Gold Cup here that year; won two conditions hurdles last year; soundly beaten behind Impose Toi in Grade 2 Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury (3m, soft) in November last time and, although he's had a wind op and better ground may aid his cause, this 11yo looks up against it.

33/1

12/1

Form: 613-3F

Last run: 70 days

W: 11st 8lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 158

Form & Verdict
At his peak two seasons ago when completing a six-timer in the Grade 1 Clarence House (2m1f, soft) at Ascot; won the following season's Peterborough Chase over a flat 2m4f but he was only third in that race on his reappearance this term and then departed mid-race when sent beyond that trip for the first time at Ascot (2m5f); with doubts over his stamina and current form, this 11yo is not easily recommended; effective on all ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

21st Jan 2024

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 2

13:50 Lingfield

First Flow

12st 0lb

J: David Bass

T: Kim Bailey

A longer trip may be preferable but he was a good second off this mark at Ascot (2m1f, soft) in November on his reappearance, and filled the same position at Chepstow (2m3f, soft) last time; also effective on good/good to soft; this highly admirable 12yo can give another good account.

6/1

3

27th Dec 2023

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 1

14:30 Kempton

First Flow

11st 11lb

T: Kim Bailey

2nd

1

27th Dec 2023

Good To Soft

2m 3f 98y

Class 2

13:05 Chepstow

First Flow

12st 0lb

J: David Bass

T: Kim Bailey

prominent, led 3rd, headed after 3 out, kept on final 110yds

9/4

Form: 3U-102

Last run: 15 days

W: 10st 13lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 145

Form & Verdict
Having only her eighth start over fences when running her best race yet in the 2m5f Topham (soft) over Aintree's spruce fences last time, in which she emerged from off the pace to finish a clear second; this company demands more again but the rain hasn't harmed her prospects.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

16th May 2025

Good

3m 0f 210y

Class 2

18:55 Aintree

Fantastic Lady

12st 0lb

J: James Bowen

T: Nicky Henderson

Smart mare who ended 2023-24 season in career-best form, winning Sandown Grade 2 (2m6f, good); not much went to plan last term but she was going well until bad jumping error knocked the stuffing out of her in last month's Topham over the big fences here and she remains well handicapped.

4/1

1

16th May 2025

Good

3m 0f 210y

Class 2

18:55 Aintree

Fantastic Lady

12st 0lb

J: James Bowen

T: Nicky Henderson

Smart mare who ended 2023-24 season in career-best form, winning Sandown Grade 2 (2m6f, good); not much went to plan last term but she was going well until bad jumping error knocked the stuffing out of her in last month's Topham over the big fences here and she remains well handicapped.

4/1

38

5th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

4m 2f 74y

Class 1

16:00 Aintree

Fantastic Lady

10st 3lb

T: Nicky Henderson

Pulled up in the 3m2f Kim Muir at Cheltenham last month in first-time cheekpieces, which leaves her stamina beyond 3m unproven, although it was not the trip which accounted for her poor show there (following two solid efforts); second over these fences in the 2023 Topham, sixth in it last year and she's due to have another crack at that race on Friday.

80/1

Form: 224575 C

Last run: 14 days

W: 11st 8lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 156

Form & Verdict
Again below his best when fifth in a 3m1f handicap at Aintree two weeks ago and the cheekpieces worn for his last three races are now left at home; that may be a good thing and so too the drop back in trip, while his excellent early-season seconds behind top-notchers Bravemansgame and Protektorat are notable pieces of form; respected with the recent rain a blessing.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

10th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 19y

Class 1

16:05 Aintree

Eldorado Allen

10st 12lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

12yo who staged a renaissance when winning a veterans' chase at Cheltenham in November and has continued in pretty good heart; however, it's likely he'll be vulnerable today; soundly beaten in this race 12 months ago.

66/1

4th

4

28th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 214y

Class 2

15:15 Newbury

Eldorado Allen

11st 9lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Form over shorter this term features a reappearance success in veterans' race at Cheltenham (2m4f, soft; beat Mister Coffey); record at Newbury includes a success in 2m7f Grade 2 in 2022 and respectable effort in major 3m2f handicap in 2023; solid claims.

9/2

4th

4

18th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 6f 50y

Class 2

15:00 Windsor

Eldorado Allen

11st 2lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Three-time Grade 2 chase winner who snapped long losing sequence to land veterans' handicap at Cheltenham (2m4f, soft) in November; ran okay when third next time; however, this 12yo looks vulnerable in today's company.

50/1

Form: -P112P C BF

Last run: 77 days

W: 11st 5lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 153

Form & Verdict
Quality bumper/hurdle performer who has won two of his five runs over fences (including a Grade 2) and had excuses for his three defeats (lost action/finished lame/irregular heartbeat); comes with an element of risk but his trainer can be trusted to have him spot on for this seasonal finale; very effective on good but career-high RPR was achieved on soft.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

29th Apr 2023

Good

2m 6f 164y

Class 1

14:50 Sandown

McFabulous

11st 5lb

J: Lorcan Williams

T: Paul Nicholls

Quality bumper/hurdle performer who has won two of his five runs over fences (including a Grade 2) and had excuses for his three defeats (lost action/finished lame/irregular heartbeat); comes with an element of risk but his trainer can be trusted to have him spot on for this seasonal finale; very effective on good but career-high RPR was achieved on soft.

10/1

1

11th Feb 2023

Good

2m 7f 86y

Class 3

13:15 Newbury

McFabulous

11st 10lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

High-class bumper/hurdle winner who has taken well to fences, easily beating the odds-on Thyme Hill over C&D (good) in November; safely held in second by the same rival in Grade 1 novice at Kempton on Boxing Day, finishing lame after running well for a long way; under optimum conditions today he's the one to beat provided he's fully recovered from that last run.

4/9

2nd

2

26th Dec 2022

Soft

3m 0f 0y

Class 1

13:20 Kempton

McFabulous

11st 7lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Inferior hurdler to Thyme Hill - albeit very smart in his own right - but the early signs are that he'll be the better chaser after making light work of the Hobbs horse in a 2m7f Grade 2 at Newbury (good), which came on the heels of a faultless display at Exeter; sound jumping has been a feature in his performances so far and he's sure to take a lot of beating; also effective on soft/good to soft.

13/8

OUR TIP

Form: 7-1221 C

Last run: 63 days

W: 11st 5lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 149

Form & Verdict
Launched his season with a win here in November and, following wind surgery, he was mighty impressive in enhancing his trainer's remarkable record in the Grade 2 Pendil Chase at Kempton (2m4f, good) when his jumping out in front was a joy to behold (form was franked last weekend); has something to find on the figures but he's been in career-best form and is dangerously fresh; seems fine on all ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

22nd Feb 2025

Good

2m 4f 110y

Class 2

16:10 Kempton

Solo

11st 8lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

9yo who appears to have regressed but heavy ground may have been too much at Sandown three weeks ago and prior to that he was a fair fourth at Ascot (2m3f, good to soft); his two biggest wins have come at Kempton and he's one to consider now back here off a dangerous mark.

15/2

5th

3

1st Feb 2025

Soft

1m 7f 99y

Class 2

14:00 Sandown

Solo

11st 6lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Has gained both chase wins over 2m4f but ran creditably in the 2023 Haldon Gold Cup on last attempt at about 2m; faded into fourth over 2m3f on latest outing; possibilities off an attractive mark back down in trip.

6/1

5th

3

1st Feb 2025

Soft

1m 7f 99y

Class 2

14:00 Sandown

Solo

11st 6lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Has gained both chase wins over 2m4f but ran creditably in the 2023 Haldon Gold Cup on last attempt at about 2m; faded into fourth over 2m3f on latest outing; possibilities off an attractive mark back down in trip.

6/1

Form: 11PP11

Last run: 19 days

W: 11st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 142

Form & Verdict
Used to front-run but now benefiting from patient tactics, scoring readily at Ascot (2m1f, good to soft) and not overly troubled to defy a penalty at Plumpton (2m3f, soft); something has evidently clicked but he has plenty more on his plate now graduating from handicaps.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

11th May 2025

Good

3m 1f 152y

Class 4

16:45 Plumpton

Black Gerry

11st 6lb

J: Rob Hargreaves

T: Gary & Josh Moore

His second over 2m4f (good) here 13 months ago reads well but he's become a hard horse to predict and previous ventures over 3m+ have amounted to little.

8/1

3rd

2

11th May 2025

Good

3m 1f 152y

Class 4

16:45 Plumpton

Black Gerry

11st 6lb

J: Rob Hargreaves

T: Gary & Josh Moore

His second over 2m4f (good) here 13 months ago reads well but he's become a hard horse to predict and previous ventures over 3m+ have amounted to little.

8/1

8th

10

22nd Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 187y

Class 2

14:40 Newbury

Black Gerry

10st 6lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Last ran off this low a mark in spring 2022; Plumpton second (2m4f, good) last April reads well but he has been well beaten more often than not over the last two seasons.

12/1

Non-runners

Black Gerry

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Straight Forecast £13.18

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Hewick

TOPSPEED:

Eldorado Allen

Telegraph:

Solo

LAMBOURN:

Fantastic Lady

The Star:

Black Gerry

WEST COUNTRY:

McFabulous

D Express:

Solo

RP Ratings:

Hewick

The Times:

Hewick

The Guardian:

Hewick

Daily Mirror:

Hewick

The Sun:

Hewick

Daily Record:

Hewick

POSTDATA:

Eldorado Allen

Daily Mail:

Eldorado Allen