PIC & MIX!

Nicholls can find the key to D’OR beating Presse

PIC D’ORHY(NAP) is the value alternative to hot favourite L’homme Presse in the Grade 1 Ascot Chase (3.36) this afternoon.

L’homme Presse is the highest-rated horse in the race and may very well prove the best of the home guard in next month’s Cheltenham Gold Cup.

But the market leader has shown his best form over three miles, is arguably more at home on a left-handed course and his trainer Venetia Williams isn’t operating at the same strike-rate as in mid-winter.

If L’homme Presse does have an Achilles’ heel, then Pic D’orhy is the solid option to expose it.

Paul Nicholls’ (right) nine-yearold suffered his sole defeat last season when bumping into an on-song Shishkin in this contest 12 months ago.

That same rival refused to take part when Pic D’orhy lifted the Grade 2 1965 Chase by 16 lengths in November, and my selection emerged with credit when second in the

Silviniaco Conti Chase at Kempton five weeks ago, conceding 3lb to length-and-three-quarter victor Banbridge.

Harry Cobden’s mount may well be good enough for a first Grade 1 triumph.

Cobden is fancied to rack up an ITV double, set up by RARE EDITION in the Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards Handicap Hurdle (2.25).

Lucinda Russell’s mare APPLE AWAY should beat the boys for the Grade 2 Sodexo Live! Reynoldstown Chase (1.50).

The Grade 1winning hurdler slammed two rivals in a beginners’ chase at Leicester in December and her last-time-out second to Grey Dawning in the Hampton Novices’ Chase at Warwick looks strong form.

Grey Dawning’s trainer Dan Skelton could be in business with SHAN BLUE in the Swinley Handicap Chase (3.00) after the 10-year-old’s return to form here three days before Christmas.

Two days after his old ally Jamie Moore announced his retirement, GOSHEN would be a fitting winner of Wincanton’s Kingwell Hurdle (2.05).

But the eight-year-old’s case is not based on sentiment alone – he captured the Grade 2 test in 2021 and 2022 and is capable of playing a leading role once more if the application of blinkers has the desired effect.

At Haydock, Goshen’s trainer Gary Moore saddles Botox Has for the Grade 2 Virgin Bet Rendlesham Hurdle (2.40), but preference is for RED RISK, who should relish the hock-deep playing surface on Merseyside.