Pic D’orhy looking sharp for Kempton’s Coral Silviniaco Conti Chase

◆

Pic D'orhy was perhaps not as impressive as expected on his seasonal bow at Ascot, but it is hard to argue against him in the Coral Silviniaco Conti Chase at Kempton this afternoon.

Paul Nicholls has been victorious in three of the last four renewals of this extended two-and-a-half-mile contest, including Pic D'orhy's 16-length romp last year.

He prevailed by the same distance on his return to action in the 1965 Chase at Ascot in November, when his task was eased significantly by Shishkin's refusal to jump off.

However, Pic D'orhy briefly threatened to make hard work of it on the turn for home before his class prevailed in the straight.

He should be sharper for the outing and while Edwardstone and Banbridge are worthy adversaries, the conditions of the race favour the Ditcheat runner.

Impose Toi can continue on his rapid upward curve in the Coral Lanzarote Handicap Hurdle.

Winner of three of his six hurdles spins for Nicky Henderson, Impose Toi lost out by just a neck to his stablemate Luccia in a richly-endowed event at Ascot just before Christmas.

The fact he made mistakes at the last two obstacles hardly helped his chance and while a subsequent 3lb rise is not ideal, Impose Toi can defy the hike.

Another Henderson inmate, Mill Green, is the choice in the rearranged Unibet Veterans' Handicap Chase at Warwick.

The 12-year-old posted what was arguably a career best when finishing second to the reopposing Thomas Darby here in November, with the extra 4lb he gets this time good enough to turn around a length-and-three-quarter verdict.

Snooker: Defending Masters champion Judd Trump was knocked out by Ali Carter after a thrilling quarter-final which went down to the wire.

Carter was losing 5-4 and facing an exit in the 10th frame only for his opponent to over-cut the matchball red, allowing the 44-yearold to seize his chance and produce a 43 clearance to take it to a decider. Boosted