The big race in the UK on Sunday, 5 December is the 2m 4f Grade 2 Peterborough Chase at Huntingdon (1:52). There are some equine greats on its roll of honour, so the winner of this year’s renewal will be in very good company. See the shortlist and Peterborough Chase tips from SportsLens experts.
We always like to include trends and stats before getting to the nitty gritty. Normally, the first port of call with this race is Nicky Henderson. He has a joint-record eight wins in the Peterborough Chase alongside Henrietta Knight, who was a great supporter of the contest. However, there is nothing from Seven Barrows in this event this time.
All of the last winners had an official rating of 155 or higher, showing that this really is the showpiece race at Huntingdon. The age profile is also getting younger. Each of the last five successful horses have been either six, seven or eight. Slowly but surely this helps eliminate runners from contention.
It also pays to come here race-fit. Six of the last eight Peterborough Chase winners came to Huntingdon with at least one run earlier in the campaign under their belts all within the previous month. Key trials include the 1965 Chase at Ascot despite its relatively close proximity to this race.
Favourites also boast a strong recent record with four of the previous five market leaders on horse racing betting sites delivering on the track. Only time will tell if these trends continue but they can at least help punters make better-informed decisions. Let’s get stuck into the 2021 Peterborough Chase tips from our experts:
Why Allmankind is favourite in the Peterborough Chase betting
Dan Skelton saddled Al Ferof to a notable success in this race six years ago, so Allmankind is of obvious interest. Unbeaten in two starts over the trip, this five-year-old Sea The Moon gelding has been a superb recruit to jumps off the Flat. Allmankind won the Grade 1 Finale Juvenile Hurdle at Chepstow in 2019 and went chasing last season.
He landed the Henry VIII at Sandown this time last year, then defied a penalty in the Kingmaker at Warwick. Despite finishing out of the frame in the Arkle at Cheltenham in March, Allmankind stepped up to this distance and resumed winning ways. He rounded off the last campaign with an easy win up at Ayr.
Following a pipe opener over hurdles, Allmankind then defied top weight of 11st 10lb in the Old Roan at Aintree. He made all and held Itchy Feet in very likeable fashion by a length. A break of 42 days doesn’t fit the profile of recent Peterborough Chase winners but Allmankind tops official ratings with 2lb and upwards in hand on the field.
It’s easy to see why he is the favourite with online bookies here. As the youngest in the line-up, Allmankind remains open to the most progress. The only blemish in his career over fences is the Arkle with Cheltenham a completely different track to Huntingdon. As Allmankind is proven in the grade, he will take all the beating at 6/5 with William Hill.
Bet on Allmankind with William Hill
Eldorado Allen value for in-form Team Tizzard
Which horse rates the biggest danger to the favourite is an open debate. However, based on the fact that Eldorado Allen was home in front of him in the Arkle, he may be the best value for those who want to take Allmankind on. Trained by Colin Tizzard, who enjoys a much better season this term than last, this seven-year-old Khalkevi gelding likes dropping out at the back.
That comes with risks, especially as Allmankind had too much pace for Eldorado Allen in the Henry VIII this time last year. However, he posted two improved efforts when chasing home Shishkin at Doncaster and then Cheltenham before perhaps having one race too many at Aintree.
Eldorado Allen did still make late headway there and got up to land the Grade 2 Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter on reappearance. He has shaped like a stayer in his races, so could be well worth trying again over the 2m 4f trip. Tizzard had a double at Wincanton on Thursday, so that shows the yard remains in fine form. Eldorado Allen looks overpriced at 6/1 with Bet365 in relation to Allmankind.
Back Eldorado Allen with Bet365
Funambule Sivola also a threat
No horse got closer to Shishkin over fences last term than Funambule Sivola. Trained by Venetia Williams, this six-year-old Noroit gelding won four handicaps last term and made remarkable progress. Funambule Sivola started the campaign off a lowly 112 and makes his reappearance this season on a 156 rating. In the assessor’s eyes, he has improved to the tune of 44lb for fences.
The one disappointing effort posted by Funambule Sivola came over this trip at Sandown. He was a beaten favourite and jumped poorly that day. It is well worth trying this distance again after chasing home Shishkin in the Grade 1 Maghull Novices’ Chase at the end of last season.
Much like Eldorado Allen, it looks well worth trying the trip again. Funambule Sivola’s dam is by Montjeu, the sire of many horses who have gone to enjoy successful careers at stud across both codes. Williams saddled two winners at the Newbury Winter Carnival last weekend, so the stable is in good heart. Funambule Sivola, a 13/2 chance with Betfred, could also capitalise on any slip ups from Allmankind.
Back Funambule Sivola with Betfred
Other Peterborough Chase runners must answer questions
There are two 10-year-olds in the line-up with Master Tommytucker representing the best of the 1965 Chase form. His trainer, Paul Nicholls, only has one previous win in the Peterborough Chase back in 2004. Master Tommytucker, a son of Kayf Tara, is the only course and distance winner in the line-up but experience of Huntingdon is far from essential based on the profile of successful horses.
This one has not been easy to train either. Master Tommytucker didn’t stand a lot of racing when he was younger. He also had a busy campaign last term with nine outings. The pick of those was the Grade 2 Silviniaco Conti Chase at Kempton, where his cause was helped by Imperial Aura unseating the rider early on.
Jumping is a concern with Master Tommytucker. He makes mistakes and looks vulnerable to improving youngsters despite odds 9/2 with William Hill here. First Flow, meanwhile, representing 2018 Peterborough Chase winning trainer Kim Bailey. This nine-year-old is the main danger on official ratings to Allmankind but wants it as soft as possible.
Also unexposed at this trip, First Flow is worth a go but the way his form tailed off after landing the Clarence House Chase at Ascot is a concern. This is much easier than the Queen Mother Champion Chase or going to Ireland for the Punchestown Festival but he may have reached his ceiling last term. First Flow is 6/1 with Bet365 but others appeal more.
2021 Peterborough Chase Tips & Shortlist
- Allmankind *****
- Eldorado Allen ****
- Funambule Sivola ****
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