17.00
SoftMy Pension Expert Maghull Novices’ Chase (Grade 1) (GBB Race)
- Prize money: £67524
- 1m 7f 176y
- Class 1
- 10 runners
Runners: 10 runners
Type: Chase Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Cloudy
2/1 (Won)
Form: -12122 D
Last run: 32 days
W: 11st 7lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 155
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3rd 2 |
6th Apr 2026 Yielding To Soft 2m 3f 180y |
11st 10lb |
Eight-time chase winner; beat Majborough and Energumene at Cork in December; won this race last year, holding off the late challenge of Saint Sam (Blood Destiny a 7.25l third); pulled up in the Champion Chase last time, but this is more his level and he is the one to beat. |
7/4 |
|
3 |
11th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 1m 7f 199y Class 1 |
11st 10lb |
Fared best of the rest behind the impressive winner in the 2024 Arkle but weakened into last of five finishers in this contest last season and has largely fallen short at Grade 1 level in open company; beaten 19l by Majborough at this year's Dublin Racing Festival and flopped when back down in class at Navan (2m4f; blowing hard post race) later in February. |
33/1 |
|
4th 2 |
28th Feb 2026 Heavy 2m 4f 90y |
11st 8lb |
Eight-time chase winner, including the 2m Fortria at this venue twice; beat top-class mare Dinoblue in this season's edition and then took the notable scalp of Majborough in the Hilly Way at Cork; has since suffered two heavy defeats in 2m1f Grade 1 races at Leopardstown; now back over 2m4f for the first time since beating Saint Sam at Fairyhouse last April. |
13/8 |
9/1
Form: 12214F CD
Last run: 32 days
W: 11st 7lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 150
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
6th 8 |
12th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 2m 4f 127y Class 1 |
11st 10lb |
Finished a creditable close second of three finishers in a Grade 2 at Kempton (about 2m4f, good) in January but he's an infrequent winner and it's two years since he ran well in a Grade 1 (not far away when falling two out in the Arkle here, then touched off at Aintree); well adrift in this race last year and there's no reason to expect much better today. |
100/1 |
|
5th 1 |
7th Feb 2026 Soft 2m 0f 92y Class 1 |
11st 8lb |
Landed this prize last year but incurs a bigger penalty this time, making him worse off with runner-up Libberty Hunter, and concedes weight to some other notable rivals that include a very promising 5yo; outgunned by 12yo Edwardstone at Kempton most recently; chance of doing the Game Spirit double partly depends on how well he responds to first-time headgear. |
11/1 |
|
2 |
26th Oct 2025 Good 2m 3f 200y Class 1 |
11st 6lb |
Unproven at this trip but kept on well to win Grade 2 Game Spirit at Newbury (2m, soft) in February and his two subsequent defeats came in Grade 1s; likes it here, with course form figures of 122, and he's fine on good ground; from in-form yard and can play leading role if seeing out the trip. |
4/1 |
10/1
Form: 5-F112 D
Last run: 31 days
W: 11st 7lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 144
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2nd 7 |
11th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 1m 7f 199y Class 1 |
11st 10lb |
In touch and still going okay when falling three out in this race last year but it's difficult to ascertain where he'd have finished with a clear round; overall record at Cheltenham is 121FU, both wins in handicaps on the New course; ran creditably, one place behind Saint Segal, in the Game Spirit most recently; at the age of ten he's unlikely to find the major improvement that's needed on ratings. |
66/1 |
|
3rd 5 |
7th Feb 2026 Soft 2m 0f 92y Class 1 |
11st 2lb |
Acts on heavy ground; continued his progress with a good second to Master Chewy in this contest 12 months ago and he meets the winner on better terms in this rematch; subsequent form comprises two non-completions at Cheltenham and a remote fourth, albeit facing stiff assignment, in the Tingle Creek; return to this scenario puts him in calculations. |
7/1 |
|
5 |
12th Mar 2025 Good To Soft 1m 7f 199y Class 1 |
11st 10lb |
Has form figures of 112312 in completed chase starts and 121 (three handicaps) at Cheltenham; good second in the Grand Annual on this card 12 months ago and filled the same position in the Game Spirit at Newbury most recently; progressive but has the lowest rating of the field. |
33/1 |
11/2
Form: 211111 D
Last run: 185 days
W: 11st 7lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 153
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5th 2 |
6th May 2026 Good To Soft 2m 4f 216y Class 2 |
11st 12lb |
Yet to make an impact in three starts for this yard this year, but he showed some smart form in Ireland for Willie Mullins, notably landing a 2m4f Grade 3 at around this time last season; looks attractively treated on that evidence; one to watch in the market, though a return to form is needed. |
8/1 |
|
12th 2 |
9th Apr 2026 Good To Soft 1m 7f 176y Class 1 |
11st 13lb |
Won Grade 3 at Killarney (2m4f, yielding) last May for Willie Mullins and he's on a handy mark on that form; however, below par in the winter on final two starts for that yard and soundly beaten in handicaps on both outings for this stable; usual hood is left off; needs to get back on track. |
33/1 |
|
5th 2 |
21st Mar 2026 Good To Soft 2m 3f 187y Class 2 |
12st 2lb |
Useful on his day for Willie Mullins but form has dipped this winter, most recently last of four finishers at Doncaster where he was the rank outsider on debut for new yard; best watched unless the market signals go the other way. |
8/1 |
10/1
Form: 3/1618 D
Last run: 32 days
W: 11st 7lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 147
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5th 9 |
11th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 1m 7f 199y Class 1 |
11st 10lb |
Landed the Triumph at this meeting in 2021 and was in the process of producing a career-best performance, albeit seeming likely to come off second best in the argument, when final-fence faller in this contest 12 months ago (good to soft); absent since but has a good reappearance record, allied with his proven ability to act very well at the Cheltenham Festival; another big run may be on the cards. |
9/1 |
|
7 |
12th Mar 2025 Good To Soft 1m 7f 199y Class 1 |
11st 10lb |
Landed the Triumph Hurdle here in 2021; still seeking a first Grade 1 success over fences and form dipped in the Dublin Chase most recently, failing by a long way to confirm Naas November placings with Marine Nationale; ran well but was no match for Jonbon in the Tingle Creek in between; not the percentage call. |
25/1 |
|
4th 6 |
2nd Feb 2025 Yielding 2m 1f 0y |
11st 12lb |
Former Triumph Hurdle winner made a bright start to his 2024-25 campaign with decisive front-running success over Marine Nationale in Grade 3 at Naas in November; similar tactics employed when second to ready winner Jonbon in Tingle Creek at Sandown following month and Rachael Blackmore prefers him to the more highly-rated Captain Guinness. |
14/1 |
50/1
Form: 311335 D
Last run: 63 days
W: 11st 0lb
6 yo Filly
OR: 140
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
6th 10 |
13th Apr 2024 Soft 1m 7f 176y Class 1 |
11st 0lb |
Her initial wins over fences included a Grade 2 for mares (2m, soft/heavy) but limitations exposed since, despite raising her game, and this is her first crack at a Grade 1 of any kind; very much up against it. |
50/1 |
|
6th 10 |
13th Apr 2024 Soft 1m 7f 176y Class 1 |
11st 0lb |
Her initial wins over fences included a Grade 2 for mares (2m, soft/heavy) but limitations exposed since, despite raising her game, and this is her first crack at a Grade 1 of any kind; very much up against it. |
50/1 |
|
5th 3 |
10th Feb 2024 Heavy 2m 0f 0y |
11st 1lb |
Maiden hurdler, rated 109; now established as a good chaser; made all for an emphatic win at Gowran; no apparent fluke about her 33-1 win from Harmonya Maker in a mares' Grade 2 Cork event over an extended 2m; another fine effort when third to Spillane's Tower at Punchestown; not quite as good a week later at Thurles, run may have come too soon. |
8/1 |
11/2
Form: 14-111 D
Last run: 58 days
W: 11st 7lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 142
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3rd 1 |
6th May 2026 Good To Soft 2m 4f 216y Class 2 |
12st 0lb |
Fitting of cheekpieces sparked a revival in December, when landing a fifth success over fences at Ascot (2m3f, good to soft); followed that up with a career-best RPR when third off this mark there (2m5f) the following month; respected but he'll need to leave behind a lesser effort last time. |
7/2 |
12/1
Form: 111F23 CD
Last run: 30 days
W: 11st 7lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 148
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
1st Nov 2025 Good 3m 0f 45y Class 1 |
11st 10lb |
Well beaten in Grade 1s on final two starts last season; however, he impressed with two Grade 2 wins earlier in the campaign, namely the Peterborough at Huntingdon (2m4f, soft) and the Denman at Newbury (extended 2m7f, soft), and he has a very positive reappearance record; respected under 6lb penalty. |
9/4 |
|
1 |
1st Nov 2025 Good 3m 0f 45y Class 1 |
11st 10lb |
Well beaten in Grade 1s on final two starts last season; however, he impressed with two Grade 2 wins earlier in the campaign, namely the Peterborough at Huntingdon (2m4f, soft) and the Denman at Newbury (extended 2m7f, soft), and he has a very positive reappearance record; respected under 6lb penalty. |
9/4 |
|
6th 2 |
3rd Apr 2025 Good To Soft 3m 0f 210y Class 1 |
11st 10lb |
Always behind and well beaten in the Ryanair but may benefit from this step back up in distance, having been well suited by 2m7f in the Denman Chase at Newbury (one of two soft-ground Grade 2 wins this term) the time before; largely progressive prior to latest start and unexposed over staying trips. |
20/1 |
10/1
Form: -11221
Last run: 70 days
W: 11st 7lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 150
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4th 4 |
8th Dec 2024 Good To Soft 2m 3f 189y Class 1 |
11st 7lb |
Often goes off in a clear lead and he wasn't for catching a few times as a novice chaser last season, the highlight his success in Grade 1 at Sandown (2m4f, good); could steal this race but the removal of his usual hood presents a question mark. |
9/1 |
|
4th 4 |
8th Dec 2024 Good To Soft 2m 3f 189y Class 1 |
11st 7lb |
Often goes off in a clear lead and he wasn't for catching a few times as a novice chaser last season, the highlight his success in Grade 1 at Sandown (2m4f, good); could steal this race but the removal of his usual hood presents a question mark. |
9/1 |
|
1 |
27th Apr 2024 Good 2m 4f 10y Class 2 |
12st 0lb |
took keen hold, led, clear 2nd, not fluent 4th, reduced lead after 6th, mistake 12th, headed just before 3 out, soon weakened quickly and pulled up |
11/4 |
11/1
Form: 6-1224 D
Last run: 32 days
W: 11st 7lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 148
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
18th Apr 2026 Soft 2m 0f 110y Class 1 |
12st 0lb |
Something to prove regarding current form although he didn't take to the National fences when pulled up mid-race in the Topham at Aintree last week; this is a lower grade than he's used to contesting and he's capable of playing a big role if back on song now returned to conventional fences. |
14/1 |
|
2 |
10th Apr 2026 Good To Soft 2m 5f 19y Class 1 |
11st 13lb |
Better than ever when easily winning at Cheltenham (2m4f, good) on New Year's Day and on that evidence this 5lb higher mark isn't necessarily beyond him; however, two lesser runs have followed; has to get back on track. |
25/1 |
|
5th 9 |
12th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 2m 4f 127y Class 1 |
11st 10lb |
Nearly all races at around 2m1f and the step up to 2m4f was clearly a stretch behind Jonbon in an Aintree Grade 1 last April; coped better with the trip when a convincing winner of a C&D handicap (good; has won on soft) in January but a lesser effort followed at Windsor and he aims a lot higher here. |
33/1 |
+o+e Accumulators
| Payout | |
|---|---|
| Straight Forecast | £16.28 |
| Tricast | £312.85 |
Selections
The Times:
Found A FiftyD Express:
Found A FiftyDaily Mirror:
Found A FiftyThe Sun:
Found A FiftyWEST COUNTRY:
Master ChewyThe Star:
Master Chewy