Paul Nicholls eyes Auteuil Grade 1 glory with well-regarded Pic D’Orhy

3.25 Auteuil
Prix Renaud du Vivier (Grade 1) | 2m3½f | 4yo | Sky

Paul Nicholls bids to claim his first Grade 1 of the season with Pic D’Orhy, the sole British representative in the Prix Renaud du Vivier.

Pic D’Orhy had excellent form for former trainer Francois Nicolle, including finishing runner-up in the Grade 1 Prix Cambaceres last November.

Sent off at 12-1 in the Triumph Hurdle on his first start for Nicholls, he finished tenth.

“The Triumph run was underwhelming but we hadn’t had him that long and he’d had a tough season in France,” said Nicholls. “He’s been in since July, so it was nice to start him from scratch.

Paul Nicholls: believes Pic D'Orhy looks a 'lovely, lovely horse'Credit: Edward Whitaker

"He’s been doing nicely and looks a lovely horse. It’s hard to evaluate but we think he’s very fit and very well.”

Nicolle’s L’Autonomie is the one to beat having won his last three outings. He looked better than ever when an emphatic 15-length winner of the Grade 3 Prix Pierre de Lassus, but was behind Pic D’Orhy when they clashed at Auteuil a year ago.

Nicolle is also represented by Polirico and Porto Pollo.

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