Paul Nicholls has gone a full year without a Grade One winner, marking his longest drought at the top level in two decades. However, the Ascot Chase presents a prime opportunity for him to break that streak, with Pic D’Orhy looking well-placed to claim victory. The 14-time champion trainer will be eager to secure his 148th Grade One win ahead of the upcoming Cheltenham Festival.
Pic D’Orhy has had only one previous outing at Cheltenham, finishing 10th in the Triumph Hurdle back in 2019. Despite that underwhelming performance, he has flourished at Ascot, winning four out of five chase starts at the track. The distance and conditions on Saturday appear ideal, making him a strong contender.
L’Homme Presse, who was the beaten favorite behind Pic D’Orhy in this race last year, returns for another attempt. However, two and a half miles is now considered a minimum trip for him, as it is for Corbetts Cross, who won the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham last season. The drying ground could pose an issue for Corbetts Cross, and there remains a possibility of a late withdrawal if conditions continue to firm up.
Another interesting contender is Blue Lord, a Grade One winner during the 2022-23 season. Trained by Willie Mullins, he is preparing for a busy spring campaign, but his recent form has been inconsistent. With these factors in mind, Pic D’Orhy is a solid 7-4 favorite to return his stable to winning ways at the highest level.
Saturday’s Racing Selections:
Ascot 1.15 – Greyval has improved over longer distances and may be well-priced at around 12-1 as she tackles three miles for the first time.
Wincanton 1.36 – Burdett Road produced a strong effort behind Constitution Hill in the Christmas Hurdle and should have the edge over Golden Ace, last year’s Mares’ Novice Hurdle winner.
Ascot 1.50 – Jingko Blue and Lowry’s Bar are the market leaders for the Reynoldstown Novices’ Chase, but Peaky Boy, who was third at Cheltenham in December, could offer value at around 8-1 following a switch to Jonjo and AJ O’Neill.
Haydock 2.05 – Eaton Collina, running in a veterans’ race for the first time, is back to his last winning mark and represents a stable returning to form.
Ascot 2.25 – Altobelli produced a career-best performance over this course and distance last time, and a 5lb rise in the weights seems manageable.
Haydock 2.40 – The versatile Beauport could be targeting the Grand National soon, but his strong showing in the Grade One Long Walk Hurdle before Christmas makes him a leading contender in this lower-grade event.
Ascot 3.00 – Victtorino, a course specialist, finished fourth in this race last year when Venetia Williams’ yard was struggling for form. With the stable now operating at a 22% strike rate in February, and only a 3lb rise to contend with, he looks well-placed for a big run.
Haydock 3.15 – Apple Away, a Grade One winner as a novice hurdler over three miles, steps back up to a marathon trip for only her second handicap chase start. Her current mark could prove lenient, making her an intriguing prospect.
With conditions and past form aligning in his favor, Pic D’Orhy appears well-positioned to bring Paul Nicholls back to winning ways at the highest level.
