Peterborough Chase tips: Josses Hill hot stuff for Henderson at Huntingdown
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Josses Hill odds the Peterborough Chase punt
Trainer Nicky Henderson has a good record in the Grade 2 Peterborough Chase, so Josses Hill odds may further enhance it with victory in this year’s renewal of the extended 2m 3f contest at Huntingdon on Sunday (14:00).
The Seven Barrows handler is the joint-second most successful trainer in the race having won it on four ocacsions courtesy of Remiitance Man (1992), Travado (1993 and 1995) and Riverside Theatre (2013).
In Josses Hill, he has a gelding who had some top-class form to his name over hurdles and is now finally getting his act together over the larger obstacles.
The eight-year-old was held back by his jumping in the early stages of his chasing career, but still manged to finish a fine third to Un De Sceaux in the 2015 running of the Arkle Challenge Trophy at the Cheltenham Festival.
Jumping improved under attacking tactics
However, since connections have adopted attacking tactics, Josses Hill has looked a totally different proposition as his jumping has become much slicker and sounder.
He comes into the race after winning two of his last three starts, slamming the very useful God’s Own by eight lengths at Kempton in the first of those.
Josses Hill was also far from disgraced when eighth behind Vautour in the Ryanair at this year’s Cheltenhham Festival. He then looked as good as ever on seasonal reappearance at Kempton last month when jumping well and making all to beat Camping Ground by eight lengths.
It was a most taking display and in a race in which he could well get an easy lead Josses Hill looks capable of giving weight all-round to follow-up.
Dodging Bullets and More Of That have questions to answer
Dodging Bullets, who won the 2015 Queen Mother Champion Chase, would be a massive player on the pick of his form, but ran a shocker when pulled-up on seasonal reappearance and a major bounce back is required.
He doesn’t look the force of old, despite being just eight, and cannot be backed with any confidence as a result of recent exploits.
The same applies to former World Hurdle winner More Of That, who was also pulled-up on reappearance at Cheltenham and has had well-documented training issues in an injury-plagued career.
Volnay De Thaix bets feared most
If there is a dark horse in the race it could well be Josses Hill’s stable companion Volnay De Thaix, who receives 7lb from the selection.
The seven-year-old was a smart hurdler rated 158 at his peak when finishing a fine fifth under a big weight in the Coral Cup at the 2015 Cheltenham Festival, and third to Jezki in a Grade 1 at Aintree.
Although failing to live up to expectations after making a winning debut over fences last season, Volnay De Thaix remains unexposed over the larger obstacles after just four starts. He looks the type who could come into his own as a second season chaser.
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Coral’s top tip: Josses Hill has finally got his act together and rates a solid bet to land the spoils, following an impressive success on return to action. Volnay De Thaix is feared most.
