15:50 Exeter

Friday 25 February 2022

All13:0013:3514:1014:4515:2015:5016:20

Virgin Bet Devon National Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:52 | Winning time: 8m 9.38s

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Selected odds by:

The Two Amigos⁵⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: David Prichard⁽⁵⁾| T: Nicky Martin| OR: 134| CD

15/2

Did little wrong last term, notably finishing second in the Welsh National. Conversely, it's been over 3 years since his latest success and he was well held when runner-up at Haydock last time.

Form: 2238-F2

Snuff Box¹⁰^{(ex 7)}

Age: 11| Weight: 11-11| J: Miss Lucy Turner⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 126

10/1

Fortuitous winner at Bangor last month (left clear at the last), but made his own luck when following up in good style at Lingfield (28.8f, heavy) recently. Another bold show likely under a penalty.

Form: 41-7711

Captain Drake^p,t³⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-5| J: Bryan Carver⁽³⁾| T: H Fry| OR: 127| C

20/1

Fine fourth in last season's Welsh National, and that was off a 13 lb higher mark. However, he has shown little spark so far this time round (over hurdles latest) and others make greater appeal.

Form: 40-94P6

Truckin Away^t⁵⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-5| J: M G Nolan| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 127

16/1

Surpassed hurdles form in light 2020/21 campaign, coping well with the mud when winning at Doncaster (3m). He hasn't shown much in a couple of appearances so far this season, though.

Form: 4210-P7

Dawson City⁵⁵

Age: 13| Weight: 11-2| J: Rex Dingle| T: P Gundry| OR: 124| CD

14/1

Veteran who landed this race in 2018 and 2019. Good third to Samuel Jackson off 5 lb higher in last year's renewal, too, and he'll be a threat if able bounce back following a low-key effort last time.

Form: 36-1845

Samuel Jackson^p³³

Age: 10| Weight: 11-1| J: James Best| T: R Mitford-Slade| OR: 123| CD

11/2

Fourth to Dawson City in this race in 2019 and had that rival back in third when winning last year's renewal off this mark. Creditable effort in the Surrey National last time and couldn't rule out.

Form: 21P-344

Classic Ben^p⁴⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-0| J: C Gethings| T: S Edmunds| OR: 122

8/1

Losing run stretches back to February 2019, but he was in the process of running well when exiting at the third-last off this reduced mark here (24.2f, heavy) last month. One to consider.

Form: 5/247-7F

Pemberley³³

Age: 9| Weight: 10-8| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 116

13/2

Opened chase account over 3m at Warwick in December and was starting to look threatening when exiting at the usual fourth-last in the Surrey National last time. Possibilities here off the same mark.

Form: 32-212F

Volcano^p,t²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-6| J: Ben Jones| T: Sheila Lewis| OR: 114| C

16/1

Thrived over fences last term, winning 4 times (at up to 29f). Now 11 lb below last winning mark, but will need to step up on this season's efforts if he's play a leading role here.

Form: 9UP643

Wayfinder²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-5| J: James Bowen| T: Miss R Curtis| OR: 113

7/1

Low-mileage 8-y-o who returned to form on third start following 14 months off when chasing home the progressive Dr Kananga (winner again since) at Chepstow (26.2f, soft) 3 weeks ago. Not discounted.

Form: 1/21-B62

Red Happy^b,t¹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-4| J: Philip Armson⁽⁷⁾| T: D Pipe| OR: 112

66/1

Three-time winner over fences for Gabriel Leenders in France, scoring twice in November, but he has made an underwhelming start for new connections on this side of the Channel.

Form: F511P4

Who's In The Box^p⁴³

Age: 8| Weight: 10-4| J: Charlie Hammond| T: N Kent| OR: 112| BF

10/1

Improved for switch to fences last term, scoring at Market Rasen before backing it up with a couple of good seconds. Best effort so far this season when third at Catterick latest, but this is tougher.

Form: 22-7P53

The Late Legend^p1,t⁶¹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-2| J: Luke Scott⁽⁷⁾| T: T H Weston| OR: 110

11/2

Five-time winner last term who has acquitted himself well back in this sphere the last twice, runner-up over C&D prior to finishing fourth in the Lincolnshire National on Boxing Day. Each-way shout.

Form: 66-8324

Forecasts

Samuel Jackson (11/2), The Late Legend (11/2), Pemberley (13/2), Wayfinder (7/1), The Two Amigos (15/2), Classic Ben (8/1), Who's In The Box (10/1), Snuff Box (10/1), Dawson City (14/1), Truckin Away (16/1), Volcano (16/1), Captain Drake (20/1), Red Happy (66/1)

Though he hasn't got his head in front for a while, CLASSIC BEN was going great guns in front when coming down 3 out here last time and, off the same career-low mark, he is taken to gain compensation. Snuff Box is respected in his hat-trick bid with Lucy Turner's claim negating the penalty he incurred for his recent Lingfield success, but Pemberley and Wayfinder rate the main dangers.