bet365 Oaksey Chase
 AutoUpdating 150x150 Gif
Grade 2, Sandown 14:25
£80,000 guaranteed,
5yo plus,
2m 6f 164y, Class 1    
Saturday 26th April 2025

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1 Gaelic Warrior 5/6F
2 Appreciate It 16/1
3. Ga Law 28/1
9 ran Distances: 5l, nk, 2½l
Time: 5m 44.11s (slow by 0.11s)

Gaelic Warrior underlined his class, delivering a polished performance under Paul Townend to keep Willie Mullins’ title hopes on track.

The 5-6 favourite had looked a shadow of himself earlier in the campaign but sparked back into life at Aintree, and a quick change of plans saw him rerouted from Punchestown to Sandown to bolster Mullins’ championship charge.

The task was made easier when main rival Pic D’Orhy blundered badly at the second fence and was soon pulled up, leaving Gaelic Warrior to dictate matters in supreme comfort. From there, it was all very straightforward; his fluent jumping and natural cruising speed taking him clear before Appreciate It, another Mullins inmate, closed to within five lengths at the line. Ga Law stuck on gamely for third, just a neck adrift.

Mullins reflected afterwards: "I wasn't worried about the ground or the trip — it was just a case of whether he had recovered from Aintree quickly enough. Ideally, I’d have preferred the timing for Punchestown, but he’s handled it well. He probably won’t go to Punchestown now. As for next season, the King George could be on the radar. He’s versatile ground-wise, and while he does edge right, he wins wherever he goes, so I’m not overly fussed."

Owner Rich Ricci was equally buoyant but realistic: "He’s a funny old character, this horse. I'd have loved to take a crack at the Gold Cup next week, but supporting Willie in the title race came first. Is he a Gold Cup horse? I’m not sure. King George — absolutely. He’s fast enough on soft and good ground, stays well enough, and when he’s on a going day, he’s simply brilliant. We’re learning more about him all the time, and hopefully as he matures he’ll keep producing these big performances."

A polished display from a horse who might yet have his best days still ahead of him.

Boylesports

bet365 Oaksey Chase
(For The Menorah Challenge Trophy)
£80,000 guaranteed, 5yo plus, 2m 6f 164y, Class 1
9 ran
Going: Good

POS. DIST HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY SP
1    Gaelic Warrior 7 11-8 W P Mullins Paul Townend 5/6F
2 5 Appreciate It 11 11-8 W P Mullins Sean O'Keeffe 16/1
3 nk Ga Law 9 11-6 Jamie Snowden Gavin Sheehan 28/1
4 2½ Gentleman De Mee 9 11-6 W P Mullins Mark Walsh 8/1
5 1¼ Boombawn 8 11-5 Dan Skelton Harry Skelton 11/1
6 5½ Classic Getaway 9 11-8 W P Mullins Danny Mullins 22/1
7 37 Hitman 9 11-2 Paul Nicholls Freddie Gingell 28/1
PU Le Patron 7 11-5 Gary & Josh Moore David Noonan 18/1
PU Pic d'Orhy 10 11-8 Paul Nicholls Harry Cobden 4/1

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