Last year’s winner Pic D’Orhy is among seven entries for the Grade One Betfair Ascot Chase on Saturday.
With three course-and-distance successes to his name, the Paul Nicholls-trained chaser has developed something of a reputation as an Ascot specialist.
Second to Shishkin in the 2023 renewal, 12 months ago he went one better in fine style, beating L’Homme Presse by over five lengths, and he could meet that rival once more.Venetia Williams’ charge got back to winning ways last time out at Cheltenham in the Cotswold Chase over three miles and drops back down to the intermediate trip of two miles and five furlongs.
Nicholls has also entered Hitman, a valiant second to Williams’ Djelo in the Denman Chase at Newbury on Saturday.
There are two interesting entries from Ireland, headed by Willie Mullins’ Blue Lord, who is winless since December 2022 but was a multiple Grade One scorer in his pomp.
Emmet Mullins has entered his Gold Cup hope Corbetts Cross, a Cheltenham Festival winner in the National Hunt Chase last season.
Dan Skelton’s Flegmatik and Gary Moore’s Le Patron have also been entered.
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