Peterborough Chase...is on!

Wouldn’t it be good if we had a couple of top-class events like this week to punt on during midweek, with the move to transfer the Peterborough Chase back to Thursday from the weekend doing the trick this year with a competitive field of 10 runners lining up. So let’s get stuck into the trends.

First, it’s interesting to note that the only time a field of this size took to the tape since 1996 was in 2005 when Impek scored at 5/1, the joint-highest SP in that period.

PETERBOROUGH CHASE

ONE COOL COOKIE – Not may Irish-trained runners have landed this and trainer yet to send out a winner in last fortnight. Likes to be up with the pace, which will help, and fits some of the other trends, but likely double-figure SP will be a negative.

SNOOPY LOOPY – Pacey style will help and has a Grade 1 victory in the bag, but bit long in the tooth at 10 for this event and had quit a few runs already this year which may catch up soon – not the ideal prep coming from a third in the Hennessy. First-time blinkers also an unknown.

MISTER MCGOLDRICK – As with Snoopy Loopy not the ideal age for this and all career wins have come left-handed – been unplaced twice here. Likely double-figure SP also not ideal, nor is the form of his stable.

MONET’S GARDEN – Another that has to be bypassed mainly because of age, but fits most of the trends. On a losing run of five – longest in career – and not many winners of this finished as far back as seventh last time out.

NATAL – Not many holes to pick in his trends profile, even having a spin in the Haldon Gold Cup last time which has pointed up three winners. Well held in this last year but improved since and yard has won this before.

MAHOGANY BLAZE – No winner has taken this having appeared within the last week and this looks more an afterthought than a target. Also lacks a prior victory around this trip. Easily ignored with yard struggling.

MONT MISERE – Rank outsider having been running in French claimers and lacks Graded experience – won’t win.

LORD HENRY – No distance victory over chases and no Graded win goes against the trends.

MY WAY DE SOLZEN – Fits all the trends and could be interesting despite uninspiring form figures last season. Can go well fresh, sits up with pace and yard in form.

NACARAT – Official rating of 136 not good enough for this and one of the rank outsiders – lacks a Graded win.

UNGARO – Likes going right-handed but on a long losing run. However, return to this game after hurdling over course and distance may help. Two winners of this were officially rated in the 140s.

SHORT-LIST: Natal, Ungaro, My Way De Solzen.