The Oaksey Chase at Sandown looks a tight little Grade 2 on paper, but as ever the key lies at the top of the ratings. TimeWise Master makes Doyen Quest the clear Rank 1, and historically that’s the place to start — and very often finish.

Dan Skelton’s eight-year-old has done little wrong this season, progressing into a smart staying chaser and holding his own in better company. His latest run at Aintree can be marked up; he’d been off 11 weeks and shaped as though the outing would bring him forward. Back on a sound surface and fitter now, he has a solid chance of asserting his class.

However, this isn’t straightforward. The Comment Shaper flags strong early pace pressure, with multiple forward-going types likely to force things. That introduces a possible setup for a closer — and Blow Your Wad fits that bill perfectly. Ranked 2 and the only serious alternative on the figures, he arrives in peak form after a strong Cheltenham effort and a decisive Chepstow win. His profile as a strong late finisher makes him particularly dangerous if the race unfolds as expected.

The slight concern with Doyen Quest is his tendency to weaken late under pressure, which could be exposed here. Still, ignoring the top-rated runner is rarely a profitable long-term play.

In summary, Doyen Quest gets the nod on ratings and expected improvement, but Blow Your Wad is a very real threat given the likely race shape.

Verdict: Doyen Quest (Saver: Blow Your Wad)
Strength: Medium