Top Notch bids to have final word after missing Cheltenham and Aintree

bet365 Oaksey Chase (Grade 2) | 2m6½f | 5yo+ | ITV/RUK

After four years in which Menorah made the race his own Top Notch has a chance to put a new name on the Oaksey Chase honours board.

Absent from the Cheltenham and Aintree festivals because he was below par, Top Notch will try to rediscover the early-season form that made him a leading contender for the Ryanair Chase.

Before Christmas he recorded back-to-back Grade 2 wins at Ascot and in the Peterborough Chase, rerun at Taunton, but in February he was found wanting up against Waiting Patiently and Cue Card in the Ascot Chase in which he finished fourth, 20 lengths adrift of the winner.

He has had 70 days to get over that experience and trainer Nicky Henderson said: "To be fair he ran probably the only disappointing race of his life at Ascot and wasn't right afterwards. He wasn't right in time for Cheltenham but hopefully has bounced back."

Henderson hopes to see O O Seven bounce back too from a poor run at Aintree.

"He was disappointing in the Topham," he admitted. "I thought he would love it but he didn't enjoy it at all."

Top Notch has already beaten Double Shuffle, dismissing him by eight lengths when also conceding 3lb at Ascot. On Double Shuffle's next start he ran a career-best second in the King George VI Chase behind Might Bite but, following a break, disappointed at Aintree.

Trainer Tom George brings Double Shuffle down in distance while also gives a stable debut to Sadler's Risk, who has spent much of his jumping career in Ireland.

"Double Shuffle didn't run his race at Aintree due to a combination of factors, including the ground," said George. "Let's hope he can put that run behind him. He's fresh and well. I hope we get nice good ground.

"Sadler's Risk has been with me for a bit. He has lost his way a bit. We just want to get a nice run under his belt and a platform to build on. It should be a good way for him to find his feet."

Art Mauresque's form includes a second to Waiting Patiently at Kempton in January, and trainer Paul Nicholls said: "If he runs like he did in that race, I would like to think he would have a good chance. He ran very well in the Betdaq Chase at Kempton after that but didn't quite get the trip."

Of his other runner Alcala, he said: "He's had a nice long break but wouldn't want too much cut in the ground. This is the starting point for the summer season for him."

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