racing_news/

Menorah Back to Best in Peterborough
27/12/12

1 Menorah 7/2
2 Hunt Ball 7/1
3 Ghizao 100/30
NR: Mr Gardner (IRE)
5 ran Distances: 3½l, 4½l, 19l
TIME 5m 37.30s (slow by 31.30s)

Menorah provided the connections of narrow King George runner-up Captain Chris with some compensation courtesy of a clear-cut success in the rearranged Levy Board Peterborough Chase at Kempton.

Menorah
© Racehorse Photos

Having been salvaged from abandoned meetings at Huntingdon and Exeter, Kempton stepped in and Philip Hobbs will be delighted.

The former Supreme Novices' Hurdle winner was lifeless behind Cue Card on his return to action but a positive move from Richard Johnson down the back straight signalled his intentions. Jumping well, the race was soon put to bed, with the pacesetting Ghizao fading as Hunt Ball ran on into second.

Owner Graham Whateley said of the 7-2 winner: "I'm delighted, I knew he was in good condition, Philip said he'd never looked better. He jumped one fence very big but pinged the rest.

"We'd always aimed for the Peterborough, even when it was at Huntingdon, then Exeter and we're very pleased to see him win at Kempton. Everyone is asking if he is going to go to the Ryanair, but I never like to make any plans - the most important thing is to get him back home and see how he is tomorrow."

Johnson said: "He has done it well, I'm just pleased to see him back to his best and Philip had him in great order today."

Trainer Keiran Burke said of Hunt Ball: "Thank God it was a better run than the Paddy Power and we will just take each race as it comes."

However, owner Anthony Knott said: "I'd like to go for the Ascot Chase next and the Gold Cup is the main target."

William Hill Levy Board Peterborough Chase
£40,000 added, 4yo plus, 2m 4f 110y, Class 1
5 ran
Going: Heavy