April 27 / 14.25 Sandown

14.25

Good

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

  • Prize money: £45560
  • 2m 6f 164y
  • Class 1
  • 7 runners
ITV
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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: Showers

16/1 (Won)

  • Win: £10.00
  • Place: £3.30

Form: 23-5P6

Last run: 15 days

W: 10st 13lb

9 yo Mare

OR: 142

Form & Verdict
Third in this race 12 months ago but hasn't matched that form since, fading when sixth of 24 in the Topham at Aintree two weeks ago; would be meeting most of these on better terms in a handicap.
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

13/2

  • Place: £3.30

Form: P-671P

Last run: 44 days

W: 11st 6lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 154

Form & Verdict
In and out this term but his 2m4f Cheltenham handicap win in January was a return to his best; jumped poorly when pulled up in the Ryanair there in March; has a bit to find on the figures but this isn't the strongest of Grade 2s and drying ground should suit (4-6 on good/good to firm); not ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

1st Nov 2025

Good

3m 0f 45y

Class 1

14:57 Wetherby

Ga Law

11st 4lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Jamie Snowden

Looked as good as ever when third in first-time blinkers in the Grade 2 Oaksey Chase at Sandown (extended 2m6f, good) in April when last seen; however, he's won just once since November 2022 and has something to find against today's opponents; reapplied cheekpieces replace the blinkers.

7/1

4

1st Nov 2025

Good

3m 0f 45y

Class 1

14:57 Wetherby

Ga Law

11st 4lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Jamie Snowden

Looked as good as ever when third in first-time blinkers in the Grade 2 Oaksey Chase at Sandown (extended 2m6f, good) in April when last seen; however, he's won just once since November 2022 and has something to find against today's opponents; reapplied cheekpieces replace the blinkers.

7/1

3rd

5

26th Apr 2025

Good

2m 6f 164y

Class 1

14:25 Sandown

Ga Law

11st 6lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

Best known for his exploits in the big 2m4f handicap chases at Cheltenham; however, even on his best form he has something to find in this field and he's been pulled up the last twice; first-time blinkers replace cheekpieces.

40/1

Form: 6-0928

Last run: 44 days

W: 11st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 158

Form & Verdict
Just one win from last 15 starts but still capable of high-class form, as he showed when second to Shishkin in the Denman Chase at Newbury (2m7f, heavy); left well behind from three out in the Ryanair at Cheltenham next time, but this is weaker and drying ground will pose him no problems; real chance with blinkers replacing the usual cheekpieces.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

10th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 19y

Class 1

16:05 Aintree

Hitman

11st 7lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Paul Nicholls

10yo who has become inconsistent and hasn't shone on his last two starts; however, he has a good record over regulation fences here and has the same mark as when winning the Old Roan (2m4f, good to soft) last October; prominent for a fair way in last season's Grand National; not written off.

33/1

1

17th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 13y

Class 2

14:20 Ascot

Hitman

12st 0lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Paul Nicholls

Runner-up in this race last year and he ended a long losing sequence in the Old Roan at Aintree (2m4f, good to soft) on reappearance; however, he's less consistent than he once was and he was well held in the Peterborough Chase at Huntingdon last time; needs to bounce back from that.

8/1

3

26th Oct 2025

Good

2m 3f 200y

Class 1

14:55 Aintree

Hitman

11st 3lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Paul Nicholls

9yo who has won just one of his last 21 starts and struggled on his final two outings last season (albeit in Grand National on first occasion); however, he often runs very well, as when runner-up in this race last year (good) and in 2022 (good to soft), and there's every chance he'll be bang there.

6/1

Form: 1-101P D

Last run: 15 days

W: 11st 8lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 160

Form & Verdict
Has a fine strike-rate (14-28) over fences and goes very well (8-12) on good ground; back on song when winning six-runner 2m4f Grade 2 at Gowran last September, but was then off until pulling up in the Melling at Aintree two weeks ago; something to prove after that but he's a big player on his best form and conditions should be ideal; wears headgear for the first time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

4th Aug 2024

Good To Yielding

2m 6f 111y

14:55 Galway

Easy Game

11st 10lb

J: Paul Townend

T: W P Mullins

prominent, briefly led 7th

5/2

18th

2

31st Jul 2024

Good

2m 6f 111y

19:10 Galway

Easy Game

11st 10lb

J: Brian Hayes

T: W P Mullins

midfield, bad mistake 4th

20/1

1st

1

3rd Jun 2024

Good

2m 3f 0y

16:20 Listowel

Easy Game

11st 12lb

J: Paul Townend

T: W P Mullins

raced in third behind clear leader, went second halfway, clear with one other 5 out, nudged along to lead 2 out, shaken up and went clear run-in

6/4

OUR TIP

Form: 1-P42P

Last run: 43 days

W: 11st 5lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 159

Form & Verdict
Front-runner; won Grade 1 Brown Advisory Chase at Cheltenham last season; matched that form when fourth in King George at Kempton and second in Cotswold at Cheltenham during the winter, and faced a stiff task when pulled up in last month's Gold Cup (visored); handles good and soft ground and has serious claims on his best form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

7th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 2

16:27 Perth

The Real Whacker

12st 0lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Patrick Neville

Now well handicapped judged on peak efforts, but his form during the last 12 months lacks substance; pulled up in the Grand National last time on his return to fences.

5/1

25

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

4m 2f 74y

Class 1

16:00 Aintree

The Real Whacker

10st 9lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Patrick Neville

11lb below his peak mark and well handicapped judged on best efforts, the most recent of which were over 3m on good ground late in 2024; muted in this three runs this term, only one of which was over fences but he ended up tailed off in that Wetherby race, which he'd won a year earlier; those past glories may now be too distant.

66/1

3

1st Nov 2025

Good

3m 0f 45y

Class 1

14:57 Wetherby

The Real Whacker

11st 10lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Patrick Neville

Front-runner who won this in good style last year (good) and again has the benefit of a recent run, which could give him an advantage over a few of these; can give a good account in first-time cheekpieces but it looks a hotter contest than 12 months ago and he carries a 6lb penalty this time.

4/1

Form: 0-1332

Last run: 63 days

W: 11st 2lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 154

Form & Verdict
More or less as good as ever in handicaps this season, winning at Chepstow and running a blinder when second in valuable event at Kempton (3m, soft) in February; arrives here relatively fresh and doesn't have much to find on the ratings, even though Dylan Johnston cannot claim his usual 5lb.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

9th Nov 2024

Good

3m 1f 30y

Class 1

15:30 Wincanton

Al Dancer

12st 0lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Sam Thomas

pressed leaders, led 2nd, left clear 4 out, went clear from 2 out, ridden after last, kept on well

16/1

1st

1

9th Nov 2024

Good

3m 1f 30y

Class 1

15:30 Wincanton

Al Dancer

12st 0lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Sam Thomas

Found to have a wound on his leg when last to finish in a 2m6f Grade 2 at Sandown on final appearance; pretty much as good as ever at times last season and succumbed only to Forward Plan in Kempton's big 3m February handicap (soft; effective on good); not handicapped out of this with Callum Pritchard claiming 7lb and he's usually mustard after a break.

16/1

4

27th Apr 2024

Good

2m 6f 164y

Class 1

14:25 Sandown

Al Dancer

11st 2lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Sam Thomas

More or less as good as ever in handicaps this season, winning at Chepstow and running a blinder when second in valuable event at Kempton (3m, soft) in February; arrives here relatively fresh and doesn't have much to find on the ratings, even though Dylan Johnston cannot claim his usual 5lb.

8/1

Form: 4-2303

Last run: 44 days

W: 11st 2lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 135

Form & Verdict
Goes well (both chase wins) on good ground and arrives after a creditable third of 21 in the 2m4f Plate at the Cheltenham Festival, but that was off a mark of just 133 and he faces a much stiffer task at these weights.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

26th Oct 2025

Good

3m 0f 210y

Class 2

13:50 Aintree

Straw Fan Jack

10st 7lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Sheila Lewis

Capitalised on a reduced mark in three-runner handicap at Ludlow (3m, good) in April and could improve for this month's 25l second of five on reappearance at Ludlow (3m, good to firm), when making mistakes; also effective on soft ground; possible player if jumping better this time.

7/1

1

8th Oct 2025

Good To Firm

2m 7f 171y

Class 3

15:35 Ludlow

Straw Fan Jack

12st 0lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Sheila Lewis

10yo who turned things around when narrowly beating an odds-on rival in a C&D handicap (good; 11-2) in April; been absent since then but he's only 1lb higher than for that win and has claims if he can pick up where he left off.

9/2

1st

5

2nd Apr 2025

Good

2m 7f 171y

Class 3

15:45 Ludlow

Straw Fan Jack

10st 13lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Sheila Lewis

Commendable third off 11lb higher at last year's Cheltenham Festival (2m4f, soft; good ground also suits) but badly out of form this season (four runs) and is the one in this line-up with by far the most to prove.

7/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £64.10
Straight Forecast £62.73
Trifecta £208.70

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Hitman

SPOTLIGHT:

The Real Whacker

TOPSPEED:

Al Dancer

The Sun:

Easy Game

LAMBOURN:

Fantastic Lady

The Times:

The Real Whacker

The Star:

The Real Whacker

WEST COUNTRY:

Hitman

Telegraph:

Hitman

The Guardian:

Hitman

Daily Mail:

Hitman

D Express:

Hitman

Daily Record:

Easy Game

POSTDATA:

Al Dancer

Daily Mirror:

Al Dancer