Pic D'Orhy Looks To Give Paul Nicholls First Grade One For A Year

Surprising as it sounds the 14-time British Champion Jumps trainer Paul Nicholls HASN’T won a Grade One race since winning the Ascot Chase 12 months ago (2024) with Pic D’Orhy.

However, the good news for Nicholls is that the best horse racing betting sites in the UK feel that this Grade One year drought will come to an end on Saturday as his Ascot specialist – Pic D’Orhy – is back to defend his Ascot Chase crown.

Ascot Chase Runners Sees Pic D’Orhy Head A Field Of Just Six For £99k First Prize

Top trainer Paul Nicholls might be sitting second in the trainers’ title behind his old assistant Dan Skelton, but by his own admission the Ditcheat handler hasn’t had the best of seasons.

Yes, he’s been ticking along picking up the average fare during the week – but the big Saturday races and, more importantly, the Grade Ones have been few and far between over the last 12 months.

This is backed up with the last Nicholls Grade One win being a year ago – in Saturday’s Ascot Chase, when Pic D’Orhy ran away with the prize.

He’s currently 0-18 in the top-table races.

Therefore, Nicholls will be hoping to end this year long lean spell this weekend when the same horse, who runs in the popular Johnny de la Hey colours, returns to his beloved Ascot.

Pic D’Orhy Has Won Four Times Over Fences At Ascot

Now aged 10, Pic D’Orhy has been a top servant at the Berkshire track – winning there four times over fences – but unfortunately was a horse that didn’t get to grips with Cheltenham.

He was only seen running there once and that was back in the 2019 Triumph Hurdle, when 10th (of 14) to Pentland Hills.

He’s fared a bit better at Aintree – when winning the 2023 Marsh Chase at the Grand National Meeting – but also been pulled up there twice.

That said, Nicholls quickly realised that he was largely better at the right-handed tracks.

Including Ascot, and that’s where he’s made his career – winning four times over the Ascot fences, including last time out in November when landing the 1965 Chase with ease.

We can expect another bold showing from the front from Pic D’Orhy, who slammed another of Saturday’s Ascot Chase runners – L’Homme Presse – by 5 1/2 lengths 12 months ago.

Those looking to take Pic D’Orhy on will notice that his main two rivals – L’Homme Presse and Corbetts Cross are both rated 2lbs higher than the Nicholls horse (163).

But those with Pic D’Orhy will reply with – no trainer has won the Ascot Chase more times than Paul Nicholls with five wins.

Pic D’Orhy Career In Numbers

Total Runs: 32
Total Wins: 14
Chase Runs: 20
Chase Wins: 10
Ascot Wins: 4
Grade Ones: 2
Career Prize Money: £836,568

Corbetts Cross and L’Homme Presse Look The Only Real Dangers To Pic D’Orhy

Full marks to Grand National-winning trainer Emmet Mullins for bringing over Corbetts Cross, who will take in the Ascot Chase before a possible tilt at the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

However, many are wondering if the drop to 2m 5f around a tight track like Ascot will suit this stayer.

He was last seen running 6th in the King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day and with that race run over 3m the drop in trip would be the question mark.

So, it remains to be seen if he’ll have enough pace to keep up with Pic D’Orhy, who we know likes to bowl along out top.

You feel that if he found 3m at Kempton sharp enough, then 2m5f at Ascot is also going to be tricky – we’ll see. Don’t forget he won the 3m6f NH Chase at the Cheltenham Festival last season – so staying and stamina is his thing.

L’Homme Presse Looking To Improve On Last Year’s Second

The same can also be a King George third L’Homme Presse, who was also runner-up in this race last year – and looked to get outpaced by Pic D’Orhy.

He’s since bounced back to winning ways when taking the Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham on Trials Day. But will need to keep closer tabs on the Nicholls horse in the first half of the race this year if he’s to stand a chance.

On a plus, L’Homme Presse is a horse that knows how to win. He’s landed eight of his 13 chase starts and only been out of the first three twice over fences.

He’s another that could head to the Gold Cup after this, plus also has an entry in the Grand National when the weights came out earlier this week.

It’s all set up to be another fascinating renewal of the Ascot Chase.

Of the rest, Newbury scorer this season Le Patron could have an outside squeak with the Gary and Josh Moore yard going a bit better.

But you feel Blue Lord and Flegmatik would have an awful lot to do on recent form. Especially with the former rated a massive 33lbs lower that L’Homme Presse and Corbetts Cross.