Weekend Winners - 25th April 2026

Fresh off yet another incredible performance from Apple Away, who landed a big scalp to regain her Perth Mares’ Chase crown. She showed real courage on her first start since November, battling back to collar both Panic Attack and Ruby Island late on. Well done Apple, you legend. Back to business now, and hopefully I can keep Apple’s winning theme rolling over the next few days. There is action across both codes, including Sandown’s Jumps Finale meeting, where Dan Skelton will be crowned Champion Trainer for the first time. Here are my selections:

Thursday

3.00 Warwick – Sporting Agenda Challenger Series Mares' Chase Final Handicap Chase

After the announcement that Cheltenham’s remaining fixtures for the season had been abandoned, Warwick has picked up two of its feature series finals. Kicking things off is a competitive contest which sees several of these meet again after their clash at Cheltenham. Party Vibes was a deserving winner that day, with Theonewedreamof and REALTA LIATH chasing her home. The former finished second after a prolonged battle, but with little between herself and the third, I think Warren Greatrex’s mare is worth another chance at the prices. Since that run, she has undergone a wind operation, which could unlock a little more improvement if it had the desired effect. She is a consistent type and appeals each-way. Holetown must also be respected after the form of her last two starts and is a danger to all if arriving in the same mood.

3.30 Warwick – KTDA Mares' Challenger Series Final Handicap Hurdle

Dan Skelton’s SERVICE MINIMUM was part of a monster day for the yard late last month. Whether they call it a coup or not, plenty of punters certainly enjoyed it as Skelton winners were flying in across the country, and this mare won impressively under 12 stone. It is hard to believe there is not more improvement to come, and she can defy an 11lb rise in the weights. Crazierthandaisy looked beaten at Uttoxeter but somehow found another gear after the last to go down only a neck under Daniel Williams, claiming seven. Nico de Boinville takes over today, and she can go well. Of the others, following the news that he and Fergal O’Brien will part company at season’s end, Johnny Burke rides Greyval, who knows how to run well in these valuable races. She has dropped five pounds since December and is worth keeping onside.

Friday

2.25 Sandown – bet365 Gordon Richards Stakes (Group 3)

Almeric looked full of promise as a three-year-old but could not quite deliver on Qipco British Champions Day. Even so, he had looked an exciting prospect beforehand. His three wins came with ease in the ground, so quicker conditions would be a concern on Friday. King Of Cities was beaten by him on seasonal return last year, but he went on to reach an official mark 17lb higher than the one he raced from in April. I fancy him to reverse the form, though both may have to give best to DEVIL’S ADVOCATE, who comes from a yard that can do little wrong at present. John and Thady Gosden have had eight winners from their last 24 runners, which is some strike rate, and this horse has already had a prep run that should leave him spot on. Saddadd steps into Group company for the first time, and his yard is also going well.

3.00 Sandown – bet365 Mile (Group 2)

A Group 2 in name only, because in truth, this would not look out of place as a Group 1. Top class domestic winners Never So Brave and Cicero’s Gift make their returns, alongside John and Thady Gosden’s FIELD OF GOLD. Unlucky in the 2,000 Guineas last year, he put that right when landing the Irish equivalent and the St James’s Palace Stakes, before ending the season with defeats in the Sussex Stakes and Queen Elizabeth II Stakes. He can begin this campaign with a statement and may establish himself as the leading four-year-old around a mile this season. According to the market, his chief threat is the unbeaten Zeus Olympios, ridden by Ryan Moore in the absence of Clifford Lee. Burke’s star ended last season with an impressive win in the Group 2 Joel Stakes, beating Opera Ballo, who also lines up here.

Saturday

2.55 Sandown – bet365 Celebration Chase (Grade 1)

All seven provisional entries have stood their ground for the Celebration Chase and, after skipping Aintree, the field is headed by JONBON as he seeks a 21st career success. Nicky Henderson’s fan favourite was last seen finishing second to Heart Wood in the Ryanair, maintaining his remarkable record of never finishing outside the first two. He won this race in both 2023 and 2024, and, in my view, this looks like an easier renewal than last year when he was runner-up to newly crowned Champion Chase winner Il Etait Temps. Dan Skelton, who will be crowned British Champion Trainer before racing, has saved Thistleask and Mirabad for this contest, with Harry Skelton on Thistleask. He improved rapidly this season and finished second to Jonbon in the Clarence House after being worn down late. Solness is another who will likely attack from the front, just as he did at Aintree when only denied by a neck to Grey Dawning.

3.30 Sandown – bet365 Gold Cup Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap)

The bet365 Gold Cup has attracted a field of 14 runners for Saturday’s feature, with Havaila heading the market for Gary and Josh Moore after back-to-back wins at Newbury and Plumpton. Caoilin Quinn takes the ride on his first start at Sandown. In d’Or is another of interest for Fergal O’Brien and Jonathan Burke, who will hope to end their association on a high after news that they will part company at the end of the season. The horse has finished third on both starts since joining the yard, most recently at Ascot. Ask Brewster returns after his Kim Muir success at the Cheltenham Festival and makes his first start for Cath Williams, having finished just ahead of Road To Home, who runs again for Willie Mullins. Both missed out on the Scottish Grand National last weekend. Rock My Way represents Joe Tizzard, but I am prepared to side with MONTREGARD, who was a late non-runner last weekend but comes from powerful connections. He looks fairly treated off a mark of 132, and with Stan Sheppard back onboard, he gets the nod.