Cracking Peterborough in prospect Somersby and the progressive Mr Moonshine (won his 'point' over here for Gordon Elliott) are among the star turns in the eight-runner field declared for tomorrow's Betfred Peterborough Chase at Huntingdon. Henrietta Knight's Somersby has been placed in the likes of the Melling Chase and finished just three lengths behind Master Minded at Ascot last time. Far less experienced is Sue Smith's Mr Moonshine, who is still a novice but looked a star in the making when winning at Carlisle and Haydock this season. Paul Nicholls runs The Nightingale, who recently returned from a long absence, while Nicky Henderson will be represented by another novice in Surfing, who has not quite lived up to his reputation in two outings since arriving from France. Tartak, a former runner-up in this race, is back for another try, with Nick Williams bringing Gauvain back quickly after he fell in Saturday's Tingle Creek. Ex-Nicholls runner Tchico Polos, now with Lucinda Russell, and Charlie Longsdon's well-regarded Hidden Keel, well beaten by Mr Moonshine at Carlisle, complete the octet. Connections of Mr Moonshine have decided to take on more experienced chasers, rather than run against the likes of Bobs Worth and Grands Crus in the Feltham at Kempton on Boxing Day. Harvey Smith, assistant to his wife and trainer, Sue, said: "We'll see how good he is tomorrow. "They (handicappers) have put him out of everything else so he has nowhere else to go. "He's going to get three and a half miles and he'd be the best of the long-distance horses we have, but he has enough pace for two and a half. "So far his jumping has looked his strong suit - he's very quick at his fences. "The horse is fresh and well and you can do no more than have a go." Paul Nicholls feels the trip and track will be right up The Nightingale's street. The Graham Roach-owned chaser travelled sweetly for a long way in the JNWine.com Champion Chase before his stamina ran out in the very heavy ground. With his preference for racing right-handed, Nicholls is keen to let him take his chance. "He had his first run back at Down Royal and came back in good nick," said the champion trainer. "He seems well at home. There aren't many races on right-handed tracks around at the moment so we'll see if he's good enough."
