Grade Two Oaksey Chase Guide 2022

Andy Smith | @AndySmithRacing

Sandown - April 22 2022
Sandown 13:25
2
Brian Hughes

Nuts Well

J: Brian Hughes
T: Ann Hamilton
N/A
Age: 11
Weight: 11-6
OR: 155
Days: 16

The winner of the 2020 Old Roan Chase at big odds, Nuts Well has since managed to win a handicap over 2 miles and a listed handicap over 3 miles.

A strong amount of versatility for an 11 year old, he looks more comfortable now over a longer trip as his only run over 2 miles this season saw him well beaten.

He was unable to recapture his Old Roan crown this season but ran very well in defeat behind Allmankind. Last seen pitched into Grade 1 company in the Betway Bowl, he was well outclassed and finished a distant 6th.

This trip and company should suit more but he only ran 16 days ago and looks like this level is beyond him now.

Sandown - April 22 2022
Sandown 13:25
1
Nico de Boinville

Mister Fisher

J: Nico de Boinville
T: Nicky Henderson
N/A
Age: 8
Weight: 11-6
OR: 157
Days: 15

Nicky Henderson’s 8 year old has had a mixed season but went agonisingly close in this race last year to go down to Frodon by only a neck.

A poor run in the King George on seasonal return saw him pull up but he bounced back to form when beating Eldorado Allen to gain Grade 2 success at Kempton back in January.

His last 2 runs have been incredibly poor however. Beaten out of sight by Fakir D'oudairies in the Ascot Chase, he then pulled up when last seen at Aintree in the Marsh Chase behind he same rival.

His jumping let him down and seeing him slowly become detached. He needs to seriously bounce back but his run here 12 months ago gives him a great chance.

Sandown - April 22 2022
Sandown 13:25
3
Charlie Hammond

Erne River

J: Charlie Hammond
T: Nick Kent
N/A
Age: 7
Weight: 11-0
OR: 144
Days: 16

A 7 year old novice who’s only been seen six times under rules in his career. A winner on his final point to point start, he was beaten in his hurdle debut but easily racked up a brace of wins at the end of last season over 2.5 miles.

Immediately sent chasing this season saw him get the better of Beakstown easily in a handicap before an even more impressive outing despite a 9lbs hike in the weights.

Last seen running in a Grade 1 novice at Aintree earlier in the month he was hampered before falling. Hard to assess how much of a say he would’ve had but he’s pitched into the deep end here against more experienced rivals so his jumping needs to be perfect and he needs to improve to have a say in this grade.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
29/10/23AIN20GS10-1010
29/04/23SAN20Sft11-118
15/04/23AIN24.5GS11-913
18/02/23HAY24.5GS11-24
29/12/22DON24.5Gd12-02
Sandown - April 22 2022
Sandown 13:25
4
Harry Cobden

Saint Calvados

J: Harry Cobden
T: Paul Nicholls
N/A
Age: 9
Weight: 11-0
OR: 157
Days: 15

Having not won since October of 2019, Saint Calvados is on somewhat of a rescue mission. He went excruciatingly close twice for Harry Whittington over 2.5 miles but hasn’t shown the same form since a move to Paul Nicholls.

A decent enough 3rd in the King George behind Tornado Flyer kicked off his campaign but he too has been well beaten by Fakir D’oudairies on his last two outings.

Pulling up when well fancied for the Ascot Chase, a mistake saw him burst a blood vessel and sharply pull up. He fared better in the Marsh Chase last month to be 5th but was still no match for Fakir D’oudairies.

Going up slightly in trip should really suit.