'We'll be looking to the King George' - Djelo cut to 8-1 for Kempton after claiming back-to-back wins in Grade 2

Djelo became the first back-to-back winner of the Peterborough Chase in 18 years and set himself up for a bold King George VI Chase bid on Boxing Day.

Huntingdon's showpiece chase had been billed as a head-to-head between Djelo and Irish runner Saint Sam, but it did not play out that way as Willie Mullins' contender forfeited the lead after a circuit and was pulled up down the back straight. 

But it went rather better for Djelo, who powered clear under Charlie Deutsch to win by four and three-quarter lengths from Edwardstone.

The success was a fifth Grade 2 win for the Venetia Williams-trained seven-year-old, who was cut to 8-1 (from 12) by Paddy Power for the King George at Kempton.

The repeat victory came after a fine six-length win in the 2m4f feature a year ago, but despite that Williams admitted to being a nervous spectator.

Venetia Williams: relieved with the winCredit: Edward Whitaker

She said: "I'm really thrilled with that. I won't deny it was one of the most nerve-racking days at the races I've had as clearly not all our horses have been firing as one would have liked. I didn't come here as confident as I should have been in the light of what I've just seen."

Djelo was not far off the lead from flagfall and the trainer said: "Charlie expected Saint Sam would make the running but he could only allow that to a certain point as he had to do what was best for our horse, and so it proved."

Top Notch was the last horse to win the Peterborough twice, albeit not in consecutive seasons (2017 and 2019), more than a decade after Racing Demon landed the race in 2006 and 2007.

Williams said: "It's hard to compare last year's performance with this but we'll be looking to the King George with him after that. After the last [fence] today Charlie said he was thinking [about the] King George and to keep a bit in the tank for that. He deserves to take his chance in the King George and there are no other races like that at the time, so we'll give it a go."

Charlie Deutsch celebrates as Djelo is led in by Cara Redburn Credit: Steve Davies

As regards the step up in trip to three miles at Kempton, she added: "As I said after he won at Wetherby, I don't think these good horses have finite distances."

Deutsch has been aboard Djelo for all but one of his 20 starts since the horse joined Williams from France, and he felt it was his mount's most dominant performance yet.

Deutsch said: "I was conscious of pace in the race and expected the Irish horse to lead. When he [Saint Sam] dropped out Djelo was in front sooner than last year, but he went from there. He did that well and that was probably his most impressive win."

Edwardstone was the senior citizen of the five-runner field less than a month shy of turning twelve and Alan King was delighted to see plenty of spark from his veteran, who finished second.

King said: "We're delighted that he's returned to form and we don't have to retire him. We won't be going back in trip after that and we may even go over further given the way he's finished."

Read this next:

Willie Mullins 'disappointed' with Majborough's jumping as Found A Fifty cashes in on favourite's error-strewn round 

Former Flat ace Ambiente Friendly handed Cheltenham Festival target after first win over jumps 

Five odds-on shots beaten as Gordon Elliott and Jack Kennedy fire in 259-1 four-timer 

Looking for free bets? Racing Post have got the best offers, all in one place. Visit racingpost.com/freebets to find out more