15:40 Exeter

Friday 23 February 2024

All13:3014:0314:3315:0515:4016:1016:45

My Pension Expert Devon National Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:41 | Winning time: 8m 43.20s

Sidi Ismael^b,t⁴⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 12-0| J: Gearoid Harney⁽⁷⁾| T: D Pipe| OR: 127

12/1

Hurdles/chase winner who ended last season with a brace of placed efforts in long distance chases at Taunton/Ffos Las. Well below par so far this time round, though, and while his mark is on the slide as a result, it's easy enough to look elsewhere.

Form: 22-0UP5

Take Your Time^p²²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-11| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 124| BF

13/2

Winner of first 2 starts over fences, including a runaway success over 25f at Wincanton in December. Disappointing over the same C&D when bidding for the hat-trick last time but he remains on a workable mark and it would be no surprise were he to get back on track.

Form: 696-11P

Foxboro^b⁴⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Harry Kimber⁽³⁾| T: R Walford| OR: 123| CD

5/1

Bagged handicap chases at Fontwell and Newbury last season and back to form with a bang when producing a career-best win at Exeter (30.7f, heavy) on penultimate start. However, he wasn't on a going day next time and his profile has a rather patchy look to it.

Form: 1P-7819

Mr Vango⁵⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: Ben Jones| T: M Bradstock| OR: 120

11/4

Winner of sole start between the flags and positive start over hurdles last season. Ended that campaign on a low-key note but encouraging return/debut over fences when third at Wincanton (25f, soft) on Boxing Day and shapes as though this stamina test will be right up his street.

Form: 1/12P4-3

Robyndzone⁵⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 11-7| J: Ned Fox⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 120

7/1

Enhanced good strike rate over fences when scoring in good style at Haydock (28.4f, heavy) at the end of December. This 7 lb higher mark asks a question but he's unexposed over marathon trips and has to enter calculations.

Form: P12-1F1

Golden Sovereign^p1²⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 11-5| J: M G Nolan| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 118

12/1

Opened chase account at Wincanton on final start of 2020/21 campaign and placed both completed starts at that course last term. However, he hasn't put his best foot forward in 2 starts since returning to action in December and he needs to bounce back.

Form: 1/32U-45

Track And Trace^p⁴³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: R P McLernon| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 116

4/1

Placed in an Irish point and got off the mark over hurdles at the second attempt when scoring at Warwick in September. Made it third time lucky in this sphere upped to 3¾m at Catterick (soft) last time and a 5 lb rise is unlikely to debar another bold show.

Form: 6-15521

Lyrical Genius^b⁴⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: Lily Pinchin| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 110

9/1

Has an unattractive style (takes plenty of riding) and record stands at 0-8 over fences following a below par effort at Doncaster. Capable of going well if on a going day (has gone close twice off this mark in the past) but others look more solid on balance.

Form: 4P3-224

Forecasts

Mr Vango (11/4), Track And Trace (4/1), Foxboro (5/1), Take Your Time (13/2), Robyndzone (7/1), Lyrical Genius (9/1), Golden Sovereign (12/1), Sidi Ismael (12/1)

While TAKE YOUR TIME was admittedly disappointing at Wincanton last time, he was a thoroughly decisive winner at the same course on his penultimate start and is well worth another chance off a mark still below that off which he was successful over hurdles. Track And Trace and Robyndzone both coped very well with the step up to marathon trips on their latest outings and are feared most in that order of preference. Mr Vango is also worth a second look.