Jero is now poised for a move toward the King George VI Chase after delivering a dominant defense of his title in the Sky Bet Peterborough Chase at Huntingdon. Trained by Benicia Williams, the seven-year-old started strong with a comfortable win in last year’s 2.5-mile Grade 2 Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby Racecourse and is currently favored at 5-6 to secure back-to-back victories in Huntingdon’s major race under jockey Charlie Deutsch.
Jero’s victory was likely made easier by the early exit of Willie Mullins’s contender Saint Sam, whose stumble forced jockey Harry Cobden to pull up. Despite this, Jero maintained precision over the hurdles and finished well ahead of runner-up Edwardston, a seasoned favorite from Alan King. The upcoming Boxing Day Kempton highlight, the King George VI Chase, is already a target, with Paddy Power shortening Jero’s odds from 12-1 to 8-1.
Williams shared, “Charlie said after the race he was thinking about saving something for King George, which we’re really looking forward to now. He deserves a shot in that race.” She added that the King George is the natural next target given the limited options during that time, and noted that as the youngest horse to race here, Jero has plenty of potential and a promising future.
Jero made history as the first back-to-back Peterborough Chase winner since Racing Demon under Henrietta Knight in 2006-2007. Despite this, Williams confessed some concerns before the race owing to Jero’s recent form. She said, “It was one of the most stressful days as not all my horses performed as expected. I wasn’t as confident coming in as I probably should have been, but his performance matched last year’s strong showing.”
Williams also noted that they anticipated Saint Sam would run, but Charlie Deutsch managed Jero carefully to ensure a proper challenge. Highlighting Jero’s versatility, she remarked that as long as he maintains his speed and stamina over varying distances, he can adapt and succeed in various races.
Meanwhile, Edwardston’s trainer, Alan King, expressed relief and satisfaction with his horse’s runner-up finish, stating he may consider further racing decisions based on jockey Tom Cannon’s advice. “I was just happy and relieved that he came back safely,” King remarked.
Fan Take: This development is thrilling for horse racing fans, as Jero’s strong form and potential to contest one of the sport’s most prestigious races—the King George VI Chase—adds excitement and high stakes to the season. His versatility and youth make him a horse to watch, potentially shaping the future landscape of elite steeplechasing.
