15.30
Good To SoftMy Pension Expert Melling Chase (Grade 1) (GBB Race)
- Prize money: £140325
- 2m 3f 200y
- Class 1
- 4 runners
Runners: 4 runners
Type: Chase Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Mostly sunny
4/7 (Won)
- Win: £1.67
Form: 1-1112 CD BF
Last run: 23 days
W: 11st 10lb
9 yo Gelding
OR: 169
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2nd 6 |
12th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 2m 4f 127y Class 1 |
11st 10lb |
Has maintained an incredibly high standard in Grade 1s over 2m but, although he has won here, his rare reverses have come on this track; no longer quite the speedster he used to be at 2m and the extra stamina test was a help when winning at Ascot (about 2m5f, good to soft) last month, where he could have settled for second had his enduring will to win not come to his aid; now defends a strike-rate of 3-3 at about this trip but it remains to be seen whether he can rise to this very big occasion. |
13/2 |
|
1st 5 |
14th Feb 2026 Soft 2m 5f 13y Class 1 |
11st 10lb |
Acts on any ground; yet to finish out of the first two; formerly dominant at shorter but has lost a bit of his speed and was aided by the stiff test over the 2m1f trip at Ascot (soft) most recently, recording a second success in the Clarence House and 11th Grade 1 win; seems to be crying out for this step back up in distance and, still high class at the age of ten, may well add to his impressive tally; 2-2 over 2m4f, both in the Melling at Aintree; cheekpieces worn in last two starts are retained. |
8/15 |
11/2
Form: 3-6214 CD
Last run: 22 days
W: 11st 10lb
10 yo Gelding
OR: 166
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2nd 4 |
9th Apr 2026 Good To Soft 3m 0f 210y Class 1 |
11st 10lb |
11yo whose last Grade 1 win came in March 2024 but he showed strong form when keeping on for second of four to Jonbon in the Melling Chase here (2m4f, good) 12 months ago and has won at Windsor (2m6f, soft; warm conditions race) and Kelso (extended 2m7f, good to soft; Listed) on his two runs this year; he should still be fine at this sort of trip and could be a contender. |
15/2 |
|
1st 3 |
28th Feb 2026 Good To Soft 2m 7f 96y Class 1 |
11st 2lb |
Tremendous campaigner who has netted connections over £1m in prize-money; jumped right on occasions but was still firmly on top at finish in valuable conditions chase at Windsor (2m6f, soft) six weeks ago; usually races up with the pace; the clear pick on form and very much the one to beat. |
1/8 |
|
1st 6 |
18th Jan 2026 Soft 2m 6f 50y Class 2 |
11st 2lb |
Bolted up in this race last year (soft); reappeared with very creditable third off a lofty mark in handicap at Cheltenham (3m3f, soft) in November; wind surgery since; this 11yo holds stand-out claims on today's terms. |
8/11 |
20/1
Form: -21213 BF
Last run: 55 days
W: 11st 10lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 161
| 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 |
3/1
Form: 1P2-F2 BF
Last run: 34 days
W: 11st 10lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 170
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
6th 2 |
9th Apr 2026 Good To Soft 2m 4f 0y Class 1 |
11st 10lb |
Probably acts on any going; high class over fences until jumping issues developed; has proved suited by the return to hurdles and an easy win at Leopardstown (2m2f) last time took his record in this sphere to 4-7; the best horse in this field if viewed on his peak chase form. |
5/1 |
|
1st 2 |
2nd Mar 2026 Soft To Heavy 2m 2f 72y |
11st 7lb |
Outstanding 2m novice chaser at his peak; became plagued by jumping frailties; fell in a number of Grade 1 contests; reverted to hurdles with a smooth 8.5l success at Punchestown on New Year's Day on seasonal return (2m3f, yielding), second won Gr.3 next time; this is much easier than the Irish Champion Hurdle (2m, heavy) last time, in which he finished last of five; huge chance. |
10/11 |
|
5th 3 |
1st Feb 2026 Heavy 2m 0f 0y |
11st 12lb |
An outstanding 2m novice chaser at his peak; became plagued by jumping frailties; fell last season in Grade 1 races here, at Aintree and at Punchestown; return to hurdling did the trick at Punchestown a month ago, beating subsequent Grade 3 hurdle winner Glen Kiln and Cotswold Chase winner Spillane's Tower. |
10/1 |
+o+e Accumulators
| Payout | |
|---|---|
| Exacta | £3.70 |
| Straight Forecast | £5.28 |
| Trifecta | £9.20 |