Peterborough Chase (Grade 2)

Off time: 14:50 | Winning time: 5m 43.9s

Josses Hill^p¹⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-6| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 150

9/1

Won this race a year ago at it's usual home Huntingdon. Couldn't build on that success however and was tailed off behind stablemate Top Notch on return at Ascot latest. Bit to prove at present.

Form: 15573-6

Top Notch¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: D A Jacob| T: N J Henderson| OR: 160

4/9

Did nothing but improve in a very good novice campaign last season with the highlight winning a Sandown Grade One (2m4f). Won impressively on return in an Ascot Grade Two (2m5f) and looks to have an excellent chance again here.

Form: 1123-31

Vaniteux^b1¹⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: T Scudamore| T: D Pipe| OR: 154

33/1

Useful chaser for Nicky Henderson for whom he won four times. Yet to reach those heights in three starts this term although has been quite highly tried. Blinkers reached for now and looks to be playing for place money.

Form: 814-757

Ptit Zig^b⁴⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 156| D

11/4

Second fall in five starts back in 2015 prompted a return to hurdles and this first chase race since. Did have some smart form over fences (as he does over hurdles) and stays well so receiving weight he could prove the main danger for Top Notch.

Form: 4862-84

Non-Runners

Max Ward⁴⁰

Weight: 11-0| Age: 8

T: T R George J: Adrian Heskin

Forecasts

Top Notch (4/9), Ptit Zig (11/4), Josses Hill (9/1), Max Ward (20/1), Vaniteux (33/1)

TOP NOTCH continues to exceed all expectations over fences given his diminutive stature. His return at Ascot saw another fine performance and it may be that he is still improving. This looks an excellent opportunity for him to further enhance his fine record. Ptit Zig is given as the best alternative on his return to steeplechasing. He chased home the exceptional but ill-fated Vautour in his last completion over fences. Max Ward would have a chance at the weights based on his Aintree clash with Top Notch but the suspicion is he was flattered by the margin that day.