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).

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.