15.40
SoftMy Pension Expert Devon National Handicap Chase
- Prize money: £13202.5
- 3m 6f 153y
- Class 3
- 8 runners
Runners: 8 runners
Type: Chase Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Cloudy
9/2 (Won)
- Win: £3.75
- Place: £1.50
Form: 12P4-3
Last run: 59 days
W: 11st 7lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 120
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
17 |
11th Apr 2026 Good To Soft 4m 2f 74y Class 1 |
10st 12lb |
Usually goes well in the mud; last season's hat-trick culminated in the 4m2f Midlands National and he rallied to go very close against Twig in the 3m2f Becher over these fences on first outing this term; while there was so much to admire to that point, he's cracked with alarming speed in 3m and 4m1f races on his last two outings. |
66/1 |
|
1 |
21st Feb 2026 Good To Soft 4m 1f 56y Class 2 |
12st 0lb |
Hugely the class act in this field and last season's hat-trick culminated in the 4m2f Midlands National; rallied to go very close in the Becher at Aintree (3m2f) on first outing this season; he wasn't going almost immediately once headed (fairly early stage) last time, which is a nagging worry despite that race being over just 3m; soft or heavy ground is ideal but there's no doubting his strength in stamina and that factor is key. |
7/1 |
|
1 |
31st Jan 2026 Soft 3m 0f 42y Class 2 |
12st 0lb |
Needs soft/heavy ground; grand stayer who completed a notable hat-trick (3m1f-4m2f) last term, culminating in Midlands National win; went very close in the Becher Chase at Aintree (3m2f) in sole outing this season, showing further progress on the figures; the weather has interrupted plans since; respected, with a slog at the trip on the cards. |
13/8 |
6/1
- Place: £2.00
Form: P-7819 CD
Last run: 47 days
W: 11st 10lb
9 yo Gelding
OR: 123
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
6 |
23rd Feb 2025 Good To Soft 3m 1f 44y Class 4 |
11st 9lb |
Four-time chase winner for Robert Walford (2m4f-3m6f, good-soft) but out of form for new stable this season (three runs); very well handicapped now but needs to be perked up by a change of headgear here. |
20/1 |
|
11 |
31st Jan 2025 Soft 3m 4f 178y Class 3 |
10st 8lb |
20l win off 4lb higher for Robert Walford at Exeter (3m6f, soft; below form on heavy) in December 2023; not nearly so good since, last twice for new yard. |
25/1 |
|
11 |
31st Jan 2025 Soft 3m 4f 178y Class 3 |
10st 8lb |
20l win off 4lb higher for Robert Walford at Exeter (3m6f, soft; below form on heavy) in December 2023; not nearly so good since, last twice for new yard. |
25/1 |
14/1
- Place: £2.80
Form: 32U-45
Last run: 28 days
W: 11st 5lb
10 yo Gelding
OR: 118
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5th 4 |
8th Apr 2024 Heavy 3m 1f 30y Class 4 |
11st 4lb |
3m2f winner on soft ground but hasn't been at his best this season following wind surgery, from 3m to 3m6f; tongue-tie joins cheekpieces sported the last twice; others appeal more. |
7/1 |
|
5th 4 |
8th Apr 2024 Heavy 3m 1f 30y Class 4 |
11st 4lb |
3m2f winner on soft ground but hasn't been at his best this season following wind surgery, from 3m to 3m6f; tongue-tie joins cheekpieces sported the last twice; others appeal more. |
7/1 |
|
5th 3 |
21st Mar 2024 Soft 3m 6f 130y Class 4 |
11st 9lb |
3m2f winner on soft ground but hasn't offered a great deal when sent further; has yet to get going this season and the cheekpieces didn't appear to have much of an effect when a tailed-off third at Exeter last month. |
6/1 |
12/1
Form: P3-224
Last run: 44 days
W: 10st 11lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 110
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2nd 4 |
21st Apr 2025 Good 3m 1f 152y Class 4 |
11st 2lb |
led, not fluent 7th, cajoled along from 11th, increased tempo before 14th, faced challenge when hit 4 out, headed approaching last, weakened gradually run-in |
9/2 |
|
2nd 4 |
21st Apr 2025 Good 3m 1f 152y Class 4 |
11st 2lb |
led, not fluent 7th, cajoled along from 11th, increased tempo before 14th, faced challenge when hit 4 out, headed approaching last, weakened gradually run-in |
9/2 |
14/1
Form: 2-0UP5
Last run: 47 days
W: 12st 0lb
10 yo Gelding
OR: 127
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
23rd Feb 2024 Soft 3m 6f 153y Class 3 |
12st 0lb |
10yo who is having a substandard campaign, but last month's fifth at Plumpton was a step back in the right direction and he's well handicapped on last season's marathon chase form (including on soft); not ruled out. |
14/1 |
|
5th 2 |
7th Jan 2024 Soft 3m 4f 102y Class 3 |
11st 9lb |
Well-held fifth in this last year off 2lb higher; ended that campaign well with two seconds over 3m4f and a blind eye could be turned to this season's no-shows for one reason or another (lost his action last time). |
40/1 |
9/2
Form: 96-11P BF
Last run: 22 days
W: 11st 11lb
9 yo Gelding
OR: 124
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5th 2 |
14th Feb 2026 Heavy 3m 1f 30y Class 4 |
11st 11lb |
Triple hurdle winner who is 3-9 over fences but he's been pulled up in last three runs and latest was over C&D (heavy) two weeks ago; that was after a lengthy absence but he's now an 11yo and he needs a big turnaround. |
12/1 |
|
3 |
29th Jan 2026 Heavy 3m 1f 30y Class 3 |
11st 0lb |
Record of 3-8 as a chaser but confined to just three races last season and wasn't anywhere near his best (including when pulled up behind Collectors Item); now an 11yo so perhaps asking a bit much for him to rediscover his peak form; has won on heavy. |
5/1 |
|
2 |
21st Mar 2025 Good 2m 7f 177y Class 3 |
11st 5lb |
3-7 over fences; ran well when third (albeit well held in the end) in valuable Haydock handicap (3m1f, soft) on seasonal debut in November but was pulled up when last in action and the forecast good ground may not be ideal for him here. |
6/1 |
4/1
Form: 12-1F1
Last run: 55 days
W: 11st 7lb
10 yo Gelding
OR: 120
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3 |
20th Mar 2024 Soft 3m 4f 97y Class 3 |
11st 7lb |
prominent, raced wide after 2nd, not fluent and lost position 5th, mistake and reminder 6th, dropped to last 9th, pulled up before 10th |
6/1 |
|
5 |
23rd Feb 2024 Soft 3m 6f 153y Class 3 |
11st 7lb |
10yo who is still improving; won on reappearance at Ludlow (3m1f, good to soft) in November and, following a mid-race fall at Sandown, won when upped in trip at Haydock (3m4f, heavy); did it nicely under Ned Fox last time and a 7lb rise may not stop him this afternoon. |
4/1 |
|
1st 6 |
30th Dec 2023 Heavy 3m 4f 97y Class 2 |
10st 3lb |
Made if two wins in three starts when seeing off eight rivals on his Ludlow reappearance (3m1f, good to soft) in November; fell around halfway at Sandown since; this trip and heavy ground both unknowns but his yard continues in good form. |
9/1 |
11/4
Form: -15521 D
Last run: 43 days
W: 11st 3lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 116
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4th 2 |
26th Apr 2024 Good 3m 2f 54y Class 4 |
12st 0lb |
Off the mark over fences at third attempt, in North Yorkshire Grand National at Catterick (3m6f, soft; also suited by good ground) in January, but was pulled up on both subsequent outings and it's hard to know what to expect from him here. |
8/1 |
|
4th 2 |
26th Apr 2024 Good 3m 2f 54y Class 4 |
12st 0lb |
Off the mark over fences at third attempt, in North Yorkshire Grand National at Catterick (3m6f, soft; also suited by good ground) in January, but was pulled up on both subsequent outings and it's hard to know what to expect from him here. |
8/1 |
|
3 |
10th Mar 2024 Soft 3m 5f 54y Class 3 |
11st 13lb |
held up in rear, not fluent 14th, not fluent 17th, weakened after 5 out, soon pulled up |
3/1 |
+o+e Accumulators
| Payout | |
|---|---|
| Exacta | £19.40 |
| Straight Forecast | £17.36 |
| Tricast | £139.46 |
| Trifecta | £100.30 |
Selections
The Times:
Track And TraceTelegraph:
Track And TraceThe Guardian:
Track And TraceDaily Mirror:
Track And Trace