Peterbrough Chase 2011

2.00 Huntingdon

Betfred Peterborough Chase (Grade 2) (Class 1)  (4YO plus)
Winner £31,322

Advice: 3 pts win Somersby (13/8 general)

Tartak: Won this event last year before taking valuable Cheltenham handicap afterwards; Couldn’t cut it in top events afterwards (Somersby is expected to reverse form from the Melling Chase on better terms) and despite two tune ups at Auteil, passed over giving 4lbs and upwards.

The Nightingale: Lightly raced and holds major potential based on his three wins over fences, two by long margins as a novice and one his impressive Grade 2 victory at Down Royal; Satisfactory comeback there when third in Champion Chase, having looked as if he was going to play a big part in the finish (stamina ebbed away); Expect big showing.

Gauvain: Jumped into the headlines with 4 length win over Forpadydepleaster in conditions chase a year ago and while he didn’t quite build on that, no shame in subsequent efforts; Left with easier task on seasonal debut when winning hard held and interesting contender if over his fall in the Tingle Creek.

Mr Moonshine: Progressive over hurdles but already at least as good if not better over fences, winning two chases by 26 lengths in total; This is the acid test of his talents though and could be found out in steep upping in class.

Somersby: Turned useful novice chasing form into solid efforts at the top level last season, pushing Masterminded all the way in Victor Chandler Chase here before solid efforts in Champion and Melling Chases; Good efforts again this season, coming back in easy race at Kempton before then honourable second behind Masterminded at Ascot; Stable has cracking record in this race and should be very, very hard to beat.

Tchico Polos: Is good on his day, as he showed for Paul Nicholls when winning Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter on his seasonal return last year before jumping issues prevented him from scoring again; Should find opportunities but this looks too tough.

Hidden Keel: Made up into a very smart novice, winning three times (twice by wide margins) last season; Only worry here is that he’s already been beaten 10 lengths by Mr Moonshine this season and shouldn’t be reversing that form at all.

Surfing: Interesting based on his third in hot Newbury novice chase behind Ghizao and Captain Chris, but beaten at long odds on next time out, where soft ground may have contributed to his defeat against a 133 rated rival; Holds promise for the future but may need this run just a touch.

VERDICT: Henrietta Knight has an exceptional record in this event and could well enhance it with SOMERSBY, who lost no caste in defeat to Masterminded last time and has his ideal conditions here, with the intermediate trip more suited to him nowdays. The Nightingale is his obvious and biggest rival, while Surfing and Gauvain are also very interesting contenders should things drop right for them.