Pic D’Orhy defends 1965 crown at Ascot

Pic D’Orhy joined fellow previous Paul Nicholls inmates in Master Minded and Al Ferof in becoming a dual winner of the Copybet 1965 Chase at Ascot.

While he may not have won as easily as odds of 4-9 suggested he might, he nevertheless got the job done once again.

As ever, Harry Cobden adopted front-running tactics on the nine-year-old and all appeared to be going according to the script for much of the race.

However, on the approach to the second last both Dashel Drasher and 25-1 outsider Hidden Depths closed right in and the favourite looked vulnerable.

A good leap kept them at bay and once he got his second wind Pic D’Orhy went away to win by three and a half lengths.

He now appears to be a leading candidate for Windsor’s big highlight on their resumption of jumps racing.

“It’s a nice start to the season. Johnny (de la Hey, owner) and I have spoken about supplementing (into the King George) and there’s a new race at Windsor,” said Nicholls.

“He keeps on winning and we could do with a yard full like him. Captain Teague is entered at Newbury (also owned by De la Hey).

“He (Pic D’Orhy) will definitely get three miles there are lots of nice races for him. That Windsor race would be a real target as it’s a big pot.”

Cobden added: “I wish we had more like him, he’s not a champion but he’s a very good horse. I’d love to own him, he wins a lot of money every year.

“He just took a blow going to the second last but managed to jump it well and he’s gone and won nicely in the end.

“He’s more laid back these days and takes a bit more work to get fit. It’s a lovely first run of the season.