14:25 Sandown

Saturday 26 April 2025

All13:2013:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:45

bet365 Oaksey Chase (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:25 | Winning time: 5m 44.11s

Appreciate It^t²¹

Age: 11| Weight: 11-8| J: Sean O'Keeffe| T: W P Mullins| OR: 156

16/1

2021 Supreme Novice Hurdle winner who has largely disappointed over fences since 2022/23. Bounced back to form when seeing off stablemate Classic Getaway in Thurles Gr. 2 in January and endured little luck when brought down in the Grand National 3 weeks ago. Still, others preferred here.

Form: 25-351B

Classic Getaway¹⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-8| J: Danny Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 156

22/1

Very smart chaser who finished a place behind Appreciate It before going one better in Red Mills Chase at Gowran (20f) in February. Respectable sixth off top weight in Silver Trophy at Cheltenham (20.6f) 10 days ago but minor honours probably his best hope back up in class.

Form: 3P-3216

Gaelic Warrior^h,t²³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 170

5/6

Top-class chaser who landed last season's Arkle at the Festival and, notably strong in the betting, returned to that sort of form to register first success since in the Grade 1 Bowl at Aintree (25f) 3 weeks ago. A repeat gives him prime claims returned to this shorter trip.

Form: U12-231

Pic D'Orhy^t⁷⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 11-8| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 162

4/1

High-class chaser with a fine strike rate, successful on return in 1965 Chase in November before registering a second consecutive success in Grade 1 Ascot Chase in February. Lines up here fresher than most and no surprise to see another bold showing.

Form: 121P-11

Ga Law^b1²²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-6| J: G Sheehan| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 152

28/1

Ran a cracker when runner-up in this 12 months ago and bright start to this season, runner-up in Paddy Power at Cheltenham in November. Has essentially struggled since, albeit seemingly not 100% when beaten early on in the Topham at Aintree 3 weeks ago. Blinkers need to have positive effect now.

Form: 2295PP

Gentleman De Mee^t²²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-6| J: Mark Walsh| T: W P Mullins| OR: 160

8/1

Dual Grade 1 winner over fences who had struggled for any sort of consistency in recent months but rejuvenated faced with different test when landing 30-runner Topham Handicap at Aintree 3 weeks ago. Capable of playing a part again if arriving in same form.

Form: 357541

Boombawn²³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 153

11/1

Useful hurdler and even better over fences, bagging the Grade 2 Rising Stars at Wincanton in November. Credited with just about his best effort yet when fourth in Grade 1 Manifesto Novices' Chase at Aintree latest and he's a player for place purposes.

Form: 031524

Le Patron^t1,p1⁷⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: David Noonan| T: G & J Moore| OR: 151| C

18/1

Landed Gr. 1 Henry VIII here as a novice last season. Well below best final 2 starts but returned as good as ever when landing 9-runner handicap at Newbury (19.8f) in November. However, struggled since, well-beaten fifth behind Pic D'orhy in Ascot Chase 2 months ago. Cheekpieces/tongue tie added.

Form: 14P-105

Hitman^t,p²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: Freddie Gingell| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 154

28/1

Hasn't won many races but posted solid runners-up efforts on first 3 starts this season, including Grade 2 Denman Chase at Newbury (23.4f) for third consecutive season in February. Likely best excused his run in the National at Aintree latest and he was third in this 12 months ago.

Form: 83-222P

Forecasts

Gaelic Warrior (5/6), Pic D'Orhy (4/1), Gentleman De Mee (8/1), Boombawn (11/1), Appreciate It (16/1), Le Patron (18/1), Classic Getaway (22/1), Ga Law (28/1), Hitman (28/1)

GAELIC WARRIOR was back to the sort of form he showed when landing last season's Arkle when running out a good winner of the Grade 1 Bowl at Aintree 3 weeks ago. He looks to hold sound claims again and earns the vote back at this shorter trip. Pic d'Orhy comes here fresh from a second consecutive success in the Ascot Chase and he may emerge as the chief danger. Topham winner Gentleman de Mee rates next best.