Paul Nicholls has not saddled a Grade One winner since the Ascot Chase 12 months ago – his longest lean streak at the top level for 20 years – but Pic D’Orhy’s return to the same race on Saturday is an excellent chance for the 14-time champion trainer to add a confidence-boosting 148th Grade One win to his record ahead of next month’s festival at Cheltenham.
Pic D’Orhy’s one and only trip to Cheltenham was in March 2019, when he made his debut for the Nicholls yard in the Triumph Hurdle and finished 10th of 14 behind Pentland Hills.
