Pic D’orhy looks to be the pick of the bunch in Ascot novices’ chase
Pic D'orhy can begin to fulfil his potential over fences with victory in the Sky Bet Noel Novices' Chase at Ascot.
Having met with defeat on his first two chase starts, it has not been plain sailing for the five-year-old so far this season.
However, he is very much a work in progress - and the signs are there that the best is yet to come.
He stumbled at both the third and second last obstacles when a beaten odds-on favourite in a three-horse affair won by Le Patriote on his fencing debut at Market Rasen.
A much-improved run was on the cards over this course and distance last month until he came down three fences from home. Pic D'orhy was travelling ominously well in the lead when his race ended prematurely.
It is far too early to give up on him, and trainer Paul Nicholls will no doubt have given him plenty of schooling to restore his confidence.
No Ordinary Joe bids to continue Nicky Henderson's excellent recent record in the Sky Bet Supreme Trial Novices' Hurdle.
The Seven Barrows handler has saddled three of the last six winners of this Grade Two contest - and with his ante-post favourite Dusart not declared, he instead relies on No Ordinary Joe in this year's renewal.
The Getaway gelding carried the colours of leading owner JP Mcmanus to an impressive de but victory in a San down bump er last month. This is a tough task for his first start over hurdles, but H end erson's decision to let him take his chance is noteworthy.
Wonder wall also raised a few eyebrows when landing a bumper on his racecourse bow on this track four weeks ago. The son off our-time Ascot Gold Cup hero Yeats had to dig deep to hold off the persistent challenge of Hamilton's Fantasy by half a length.
He can back that up when he steps into Listed company for the Enter ITV7 Tonight Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race.
Kilbrew Boy made a triumph ant return to chasing at Win canton two weeks ago after a co up le of r ac es over hurdles - and it is not surprising trainer B en Case is sticking to the larger obstacles for the attheraces.com Handicap Chase at Uttoxeter.
The handicapper has raised him only 4lb, which seems fair, and the two-and-a-half mile trip suits really well.
Saint Dalina won over the near three-mile distance at the Staffordshire venue two weeks ago and can repeat the trick in the Follow At The R aces On Twitter Handicap Hurdle. Charlie Longsdon's six-yearold pulled clear of the oppo - sit ion between the last two flights to score by 13 lengths. It may not have been a great race, but the mare was impressive and she can defy an 8lb rise.
Exalted Angel looked a shade unlucky at Newcastle last time and can put the record straight in the Bet way Handicap at Wolverhampton.