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

Off time: 14:25 | Winning time: 5m 46.0s

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Selected odds by:

Easy Game^p1¹⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 11-8| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 160

11/2

Prolific winning chaser who was back on song after his Galway Plate flop when landing Grade 2 PWC Champion Chase (for a third time) at Gowran (20f) 6 months ago. Ran no sort of race in the Melling Chase at Aintree on first run since 2 weeks ago but very much the type to bounce back. Headgear fitted.

Form: 11-101P

Ga Law^p⁴⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: G Sheehan| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 154

13/2

Won last season's Paddy Power at Cheltenham and bagged another big middle-distance handicap at that track at the end of January. However, let down by jumping back up in class in the Ryanair since and has a bit to find on these terms.

Form: 5P-671P

The Real Whacker^v⁴³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: P Neville| OR: 159

5/2

Winner of the Brown Advisory Novices' Chase at the Cheltenham Festival last season. Hasn't been able to take it up another notch this term, though was far from disgraced in King George and Cotswold Chase. Went well for a long way in this headgear in the Gold Cup latest and this much less demanding.

Form: 11-P42P

Al Dancer^p,t⁶³

Age: 11| Weight: 11-2| J: Dylan Johnston| T: S Thomas| OR: 154

13/2

Winner of the Grand Sefton at Aintree last season and added to tally in 19.5f Chepstow handicap on return in October. Creditable third in Old Roan at Aintree next time and as good as ever when runner-up in Coral Trophy at Kempton 9 weeks ago. Not taken lightly.

Form: 10-1332

Hitman^b1,p,t⁴⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 158

5/2

Ran poorly in top-end handicaps on first 2 outings this term but back on form when 4¼ lengths second of 5 to Shishkin in Grade 2 Denman at Newbury (3m, soft). Struggled in the Ryanair at Cheltenham since but expected to bounce back on these terms in a change of headgear.

Form: 36-0928

Straw Fan Jack^p⁴⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: Sean Houlihan| T: Sheila Lewis| OR: 135

20/1

Dual winner over fences last term who was a remote second in 4-runner Ascot Grade 2 on return. Well held next 2 starts but back on track when third in the Plate at the Cheltenham Festival 6 weeks ago. Plenty more needed here, however.

Form: 44-2303

Fantastic Lady¹⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 10-13| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 142

9/1

Made up into a useful winning chaser last term but hasn't had a clear run this season and this looks a tough ask.

Form: 023-5P6

Forecasts

Hitman (5/2), The Real Whacker (5/2), Easy Game (11/2), Ga Law (13/2), Al Dancer (13/2), Fantastic Lady (9/1), Straw Fan Jack (20/1)

HITMAN has produced his high-class form only once this term but he's favoured by the weights here and this doesn't look a strong renewal. The Real Whacker has been rather over faced this season and will find this assignment much more realistic, while the prolific Easy Game can be expected to bounce back in first-time headgear but does have to give weight all round.