William Hill Levy Board Peterborough Chase 2012

2.05 Kempton

William Hill Levy Board Peterborough Chase (Grade 2) (Class 1)  (4YO plus)

Winner £22,780

Advice:1 pt For Non Stop (2/1 general), 1 pt For Non Stop – French Opera reverse forecast

For Non Stop: Made into a classy novice chaser last season, notably when pushing Al Ferof all the way in Sandown Grade 2 Novice Chase although Scilly Isles win also worked out well and Cheltenham Festival third is strong; Sensational on return in Old Roan Chase when winning by 23 lengths, albeit getting a stone from Wishfull Thinking) in race which worked out to a tee for him; Second in Amlin 1965 Chase looks excellent now (still holds Ghizao on that form, Captain Chris heroic second in King George yesterday) and the one to beat on ground which shouldn’t hinder him based on that form.

Ghizao: Twice beat Captain Chris with some ease in novice chasing days and only really disappointed in the Arkle (better when chasing home Finian’s Rainbow at Aintree); Never reached same form last year but confidence booster at Kempton did him some good based on Grade 2 third behind For Non Stop and should go well.

 Menorah: Top class over hurdles when winning Supreme Novices and then making into a big Champion Hurdles contender, but novice chasing didn’t quite go to plan last year despite winning three races; jumping got better towards the end of the campaign and impressive when winning Grade 1 Chase at Aintree with ease (then stuck in the mud at Punchestown); but flopped on return at Exeter and ground not suitable.

Hunt Ball: Story of last year’s jumps season, having risen 88lbs in the handicap with wins including a remarkable eight length win in Novices Handicap Chase at Cheltenham Festival and then a third in the Betfred Bowl at Aintree; Either of those runs gives him a chance but flopped on soft ground in the Paddy Power on return and only defeats in remarkable run have been on slow surface; Others preferred.

French Opera: Been top class for a good while now and his second to Sprinter Sacre (giving him 5lbs) on seasonal return at Kempton last time (goes well fresh) excellent form; Most form at 2m but will get this far easily and the main worry is the ground for him (not run on anything remotely this soft since 2009) but good enough and gets weight form main rivals today so big chance.

Mr Gardner: Successful chase debut after long absence at beginning of 2011 promised much (and so did good third in Grade 1 at Sandown) but left Nicky Henderson and impossible to fancy.

VERDICT: With Menorah and Hunt Ball wanting better ground, the two that are of most interest are FOR NON STOP, who ran very well giving 6lbs to King George second Captain Chris at Ascot on the same ground and FRENCH OPERA, who is 4-7 under Barry Geraghty, has solid form on soft ground and is getting upwards of 3lbs from his rivals here. The straight forecast for those two is 10.02 on Bet365 and worthy of serious support, but the reverse forecast (at slightly less) is even more appealing. Ghizao should be given a chance although he was beaten fair and square by For Non Stop last time.