14:20, Sandown - Blow Your Wad a 'Horse In Focus' for Chepstow win
This year's Oaksey Chase brings together a field consisting mainly of handicappers rather than regulars at Grade 2 level, but Blow Your Wad has been showing smart form in handicap company of late and has already acquitted himself well at Grade 1 level this season.
Having started the season with Tom Lacey, Blow Your Wad joined Gary & Josh Moore during the winter and has since struck up a good partnership with conditional Freddie Mitchell. Blow Your Wad faced a stiff task on his first start for his new yard but ran well to finish third behind Jonbon and Pic d'Orhy in the Ascot Chase and then ran well in defeat back in handicaps, finishing second in the Greatwood Gold Cup at Newbury and then a close fourth to Johnnywho when stepped up in trip for the Ultima at Cheltenham.
His win at Chepstow back down in trip earlier this month was therefore a deserved one, putting up a smart effort under 12-0 and earning the 'Horse In Focus' flag. Mitchell who won't be able to use his 3 lb claim here, but at these weights Blow Your Wad is the one to beat, being 6 lb clear in the Timeform weight-adjusted ratings.
Back Blow Your Wad in the 14:20 at Sandown
15:30, Sandown - Career best from Montregard with Ascot win last time
With 14 runners declared, the field for the bet365 Gold Cup is the smallest since 2017 but this year's renewal still looks a competitive affair. This is one major jumping prize which owner J. P. McManus is yet to win but that could all change thanks to the likeable Montregard who takes his chance for 'Hot Trainer' Tom Lacey.
Swapping his former cheekpieces for a visor this season, Montregard has enjoyed a fine campaign starting with a win at Worcester very early in the season and then returning in the autumn to follow up in convincing fashion at Ascot. He had a blip at Kempton next time but his two runs back at Ascot have been good ones as he was was second to useful novice The Jukebox Kid before winning the Swinley Handicap Chase back there in February.
Despite running from 3 lb out of the handicap, Montregard showed further improvement in the Swinley to add to his very positive profile this term. Kept fresh since, Montregard heads the Timeform weight-adjusted ratings and, going beyond three miles for the first time, this longer trip is expected to suit.
Back Montregard in the 15:30 at Sandown
17:15, Sandown - Consistent Across Earth can gain second course win
In what could be a fine end to the season on Sandown's card for the Moore stable, they have three runners in the concluding handicap hurdle, with the best claims of the trio looking to be with Caoilin Quinn's mount Across Earth.
Formerly a fairly useful handicapper on the Flat with Marco Botti, Across Earth is yet to finish out of the frame in any of his starts since going over hurdles for his current yard. He got off the mark on his reappearance in a handicap at Hereford and was also successful in a similar event confined to four-year-olds at Sandown in December when Quinn was again in the saddle.
Across Earth has given a good account in all his three runs since, finishing placed each time. On his latest start he earned the 'Horses In Focus' flag when runner-up at Haydock in a race for conditional jockeys and amateur riders. Patiently ridden, Across Earth made steady headway from two out and was closing down the winner Count of Vendome in the last fifty yards to be beaten half a length. Heading the Timeform weight-adjusted ratings, the longer trip and forecast firmer ground look positives for Across Earth and a big run is expected.
Back Across Earth in the 17:15 at Sandown