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

Off time: 14:51 | Winning time: 5m 42.5s

Eldorado Allen^t¹⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-8| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Tizzard| OR: 156| C| D

6/1

Very smart sort who has had his limitations exposed at the top level but arrives on the back of a creditable fifth in a handicap at Aintree a fortnight ago. Merits respect.

Form: 224575

First Flow⁷⁰

Age: 11| Weight: 11-8| J: David Bass| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 158

10/1

High-class chaser on his day and shaped as if retaining plenty of ability when third in the Peterborough Chase at Huntingdon on return. Unseated at Ascot next time but he's usually reliable and arrives here fresh.

Form: 66/13-3U

Hewick^p⁴³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: J J Hanlon| OR: 168| C| D

6/5

Top-class chaser who won the bet365 Gold Cup Handicap on this card last year and was in the process of running well when falling 2 out in the Gold Cup at Cheltenham. Drops in grade and looks the obvious way to go.

Form: 1-21U1F

McFabulous^p⁷⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-5| J: Lorcan Williams| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 153| BF| C| D

12/1

Very useful hurdler who showed similar form when bagging novice chase at Exeter and 3m Grade 2 at Kempton in November. Below form since but has had a break.

Form: 1-P112P

Solo^t⁶³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Bryony Frost| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 149| C

7/2

Bold-jumping front-runner who looked as good as ever when landing the Pendil Novices' at Kempton a couple of months ago. This is a bit tougher but he's seemingly been primed for it.

Form: 67-1221

Fantastic Lady¹⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-13| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 145

13/2

Very useful chaser who won a 3m Market Rasen listed mares' race on her reappearance in November and was back to form when second in the Topham at Aintree recently. Might not have finished improving.

Form: 13U-102

Non-Runners

Black Gerry¹⁹

Weight: 11-2| Age: 8

T: G & J Moore J: J E Moore

Forecasts

Hewick (6/5), Solo (7/2), Eldorado Allen (6/1), Fantastic Lady (13/2), First Flow (10/1), McFabulous (12/1), Black Gerry (25/1)

HEWICK was running well before he came down in the Cheltenham Gold Cup and, provided he's none the worse for that, he should be able to capitalise on this drop in grade. Solo will be a danger if allowed his own way in front and Fantastic Lady deserves a mention on the back of an excellent second in the Topham.