Fitzdares Peterborough Chase |
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| Grade 2, Cheltenham 14:55 £75,000 guaranteed, 4yo plus, 2m 3f 168y, Class 1  |
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| Sunday 4th December 2022 |
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1 Pic D'Orhy 9/4
2 Millers Bank 85/40F
3 First Flow 9/2
7 ran Distances: 2l, 5½l, 19l
Time: 4m 53.98s (slow by 6.98s)
The Silviniaco Conti Chase at Kempton may be next for Pic D'Orhy after leading all the way to win the @Fitzdares Peterborough Chase in the hands of @CobdenHarry for trainer @PFNicholls pic.twitter.com/IXCLE99H9k https://t.co/SceFwnKCot via @RacingBetter
— RacingBetter (@RacingBetter) December 5, 2022
The Paul Nicholls-trained Pic D’Orhy struck twice in Grade Two company last term but ended the year on a disappointing note when pulled up behind Millers Bank at Aintree.
Harry Cobden seized the advantage from the off in the two-and-a-half-mile contest and Pic D’Orhy barely saw another rival, looking well in control with two to jump.
Millers Bank and last year’s race winner First Flow tried to challenge, but Pic D’Orhy was too good, coming home a two-length winner, with a further five and a half lengths back to the defending champion.
Nicholls said: “It is great to come here and we thought he had a good chance as he won very well at Newton Abbot (on his seasonal bow). Flat tracks like this and Kempton suit him very well.
“He is very quick over fences, that is the thing. He is good now and is really assured. He is only really beginning to reach full maturity as he is so big.
“He loves doing that (bowling along in front). It was job done today as this is the race we had in mind.”
Pic D’Orhy was cut by some bookmakers for the King George VI Chase on Boxing Day, but Nicholls has another Kempton race in mind.
He added: “The race I think would really suit him is the Silviniaco Conti Chase at Kempton in January.
“I think the Ascot Chase might be an issue as the ground might be too testing. Aintree would suit him as well but that is a long way down the line.”
Fitzdares Peterborough Chase
£75,000 guaranteed, 4yo plus, 2m 3f 189y, Class 1
7 ran
Going: Good
1 Pic D'Orhy 7 11-7 Paul Nicholls Harry Cobden 9/4
2 2 Millers Bank 8 11-7 Alex Hales Kielan Woods 85/40F
3 5½ First Flow 10 11-10 Kim Bailey David Bass 9/2
4 19 Mister Fisher 8 11-10 Nicky Henderson James Bowen 10/1
5 2½ Do Your Job 8 11-7 Michael Scudamore Luca Morgan 25/1
6 5½ Pink Legend 8 11-1 Venetia Williams Charlie Deutsch 10/1
7 18 Allmankind 6 11-10 Dan Skelton Harry Skelton 11/1
