ANOTHER weekend and big prize for Philip Hobbs and Richard Johnson. The Minehead trainer has never known a season like this and saw his gifted 11-year-old Wishfull Thinking outpoint younger rivals in last Sunday’s Grade 2 Betfred Peterborough Chase at Huntingdon.

This was all about fast, fluent jumping and Wishfull Thinking was soon bowling along in front. He was challenged two out by Eduard, bidding to frank the form of his second to Hennessy winner Many Clouds at Carlisle, but rallied to regain the lead and pull a length and a half clear at the line.

Wonderful Charm was right behind Eduard in third but the others were hardly in it with Rajdhani Express finishing a tailed-off last of six after going lame. Wishfull Thinking won the Old Roan Chase at Aintree last time and is in the form of his life. He tried three miles plus at Aintree a year ago but is better at shorter.

“He doesn’t really like the hill at Cheltenham. The Melling Chase at Aintree would probably be his bag,” said Hobbs’ wife Sarah.