The Peterborough Chase is the highlight from Huntingdon today and the race sees the reappearance of Nicky Henderson’s Riverside Theatre who is well treated by the race conditions but was a shadow of his former self and for that reason is overlooked.
Captain Chris is another who is making his seasonal reappearance and he will love the forecast good ground but gives weight away to his six rivals including Module (2.00) who gets the nod having run a cracker when runner up over an extended 2m in the BetVictor Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter last month. This step up in trip will suit and the form is rock solid given the winner Somersby finished runner up in the BetVictor Tingle Creek at Sandown last weekend and the third horse home Cue card landed the Betfair Chase at Haydock last month.
Peterborough Chase odds from BetVictor: Huntingdon 2pm:
Riverside Theatre 11/4
Captain Chris 3/1
Module 7/2
Champion Court 6/1
Ghizao 7/1
12s Bar
In the opener Time For Spring (12.30) has been dropped another 4lbs for finishing sixth over an extended 3m at Kempton last time in a much stronger race and this drop in trip is a plus as long as jockey Noel Fehily makes plenty of use of his charge. He stopped suddenly on his last start and connections have fitted the horse with a tongue tie for the first time. The Charlie Longsdon horses continue to fire and, although he has got all the aids, he can go well at a big price.
I like the chances of Keltus (1.30) at the foot of the weights in the handicap hurdle; the 3-year-old has been well entered up in recent days and the Paul Nicholls’ runner gets a 14lbs weight-for-age allowance. No surprise to see Springinherstep revert to the minimum distance having pulled hard and failed to see out the trip over 2m 4f on rain-softened ground at Taunton last time.
Mr Syntax (12.20) always comes on for his reappearance and he can reward each way support in Newcastle’s opener although 2m 6f might be testing his stamina. Racing Pulse is bound to be a warm order on his British debut having won a point-to-point and Bumper in his native Ireland before being sold for 70,000 Guineas earlier in the year.
Simply Ned (12.50) can give weight to his six rivals in the Novice chase; the selection lost little in defeat behind a rejuvenated Fago at Haydock last month and ought to return to winning ways.
Ballybriggan (1.50) has been dropped 3lbs by the handicapper for his Aintree reappearance when his head carriage suggested all was not right with the horse. The Donald McCain yard have, at the time of writing, had three winners in their last seven runners and I would be very disappointed if he didn’t go very close with underfoot conditions ideal.
Good card at Taunton where I am looking forward to seeing Further More (3.10) drop back to 2m having looked all over the winner for much of the race when, ultimately, disappointing at Plumpton over an additional half mile. He might just be a horse without a trip but he jumps well and it would be no surprise if jockey Aidan Coleman, who has ridden him for both starts so far this term, suggested the drop back to the minimum trip.
For all your racing odds this week check out BetVictor.com – new customers can claim £100 in free bets
Be lucky
Charlie
Compare all horse racing odds and keep up to date with our results service.