Hi all,
My first selections of the week. We’ve lost a good Warwick to waterlogging which is a shame as I had a couple of fancies on the card. All is not lost Friday’s best race is at Exeter and it’s the My Pension Expert Devon National Handicap Chase (3:40).
Exeter
3:40 – My Pension Expert Devon National Handicap Chase (Class 3) – 3m 6 ½ f
The Devon National is a handicap chase for horses aged five years or older, and is run over 3m 6 ½ f. Just the eight have been declared for this year’s race but it’s a competitive little contest.
The top performing trainer numerically since 2008. is Jonjo O’Neill who is 3 winners from 9 runners +28.5, 4 placed. He saddles Track And Trace who proved his stamina for the trip when winning the North Yorkshire Grand National Handicap Chase Catterick last month. He’s 5lb higher but looks to have solid favourite’s chance.
Seven of the last 16 winners of the race had one previous win at Exeter and the only of the eight runners to have won once here is Foxboro. He’s an in and out performer but seemed to improve when winning over C&D two starts back. He needs to bounce back from a poor run at Plumpton last time.
Take Tour Time won his first two starts over fences at Newton Abbott and Wincanton (both heavy). However, he ran poorly back at the latter venue 22 days ago but may not have been suited to the good to soft ground that day. He’s another who needs to bounce back but could do so granted more of a stamina test.
Robyndzone took advantage of a light weight to win at Haydock (3m 4 ½ f) 55 days ago. He relished the heavy ground last time and is clearly well-suited severe stamina test. He’s up 5lb but this represents a slight drop-in class for the 10-year-old.
Golden Sovereign is now below his last winning mark but has been well below form on two starts this season needs the application of the first time cheekpieces to have the desired effect to win.
Mr Vango, a winner over hurdles (3m 1 ½ f) two seasons back, returned from a nine-month absence to finish a 7 ¾ length 3rd of 7 on chase debut at Wincanton (3m 1f) last time. He’s the least exposed of the eight runners and a mark of 120 looks workable. Yard’s sole runner in the race finished runner-up in 2011.
Verdict: Track And Trace and Mister Vango look the ones to be with here.Given the size of the field I can’t justify going for two here, so I have settled for the one at bigger price.
Mr Vango – 1pt win – 6/1 @ Bet365 or 11/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes.
Cheers
John