'A flatter track will suit' - Paul Nicholls confident Pic D'Orhy can bounce back

Saturday: 2.25 Kempton
Coral Pendil Novices' Chase (Grade 2) | 2m4½f | 5yo+ | ITV/RTV

Paul Nicholls is the first port of call when assessing the Pendil Novices’ Chase having plundered six of the last ten runnings.

Owner Johnny de la Hey has been responsible for three of those triumphs and the pair will hope to continue their love affair with the race through Pic D'Orhy.

A 153-rated hurdler, Pic D'Orhy has reached a similar level over fences and just about sets the standard in this field after a nine-length Grade 2 success at Ascot two starts back.

However, he flopped in the Scilly Isles at Sandown this month and there is room for improvement in his jumping.

This race is undoubtedly wide open and giving 5lb to Grade 1-placed hurdler Millers Bank won't be easy.

Alex Hales's stable star looked a novice to follow after an excellent first outing over fences at Huntingdon but has had jumping issues of his own, with two consecutive unseats.

The return to a right-handed configuration, quicker ground and a wind operation may all provide the catalyst for improvement.

Minella Drama was among the high-class novices to be dispatched by Edwardstone in the Henry VIII Novices' Chase in December and franked the Arkle favourite's form by capturing a Grade 2 at Haydock over further next time.

Official ratings leave him with 7lb to find with Pic D'Orhy but he won with enough under the bonnet at Haydock, despite idling when in front, to suggest a rating in the 150s beckons.

Fantastic Lady is also unlikely to have reached her ceiling in this sphere and bids to end an 18-year hoodoo in the Pendil for Nicky Henderson.

She has progressed with each run over fences and did everything right in a handicap at Bangor last time. This will be tougher, but she has plenty going for her in receipt of 12lb from Pic D'Orhy and Minella Drama.
Race analysis by Robbie Wilders

'The engine is still there'

Millers Bank appeared to have the world at his hooves when impressing on his chasing debut at Huntingdon in October, but two unseats have followed since.

"I'm certainly greyer," Alex Hales replied when asked if the eight-year-old's last two efforts had him tearing his hair out.

"The season started wonderfully and the wheels fell off a bit. He seems back to himself and we've done plenty of schooling, so I'm looking forward to this.

"It had been a year since we'd done his soft palate and I knew I had a break coming up with him, so it was the right time to give him a wind op after his last run, but I can't say that's why he's unseated."

Millers Bank: talented hurdler went chasing this termCredit: Edward Whitaker

Millers Bank was classy over hurdles, finishing third in the Aintree Hurdle and the trainer added: "Everything is in the right order for him. He was very impressive at Huntingdon and, as a track, Kempton isn't a million miles from that.

"The engine is still there. He didn't turn up at Newbury in November and his jumping was poor early doors. He ran a bit flat, but wasn't running a bad race in the Dipper on New Year's Day. He wouldn't have beaten L'Homme Presse, but we wouldn't have been a bad second had things gone our way."

What they say

Paul Nicholls, trainer of Pic D'Orhy
The ground was too soft for him and he choked in the Scilly Isles. They watered and then it rained and, on that stiff track, it's not what he wanted. A flatter track will suit him and the faster the ground the better for him. In a lot of ways I wish we'd not gone to Sandown but it was a Grade 1 and a good pot.

Nicky Henderson, trainer of Fantastic Lady
I'm trying, unsurprisingly, to achieve some black type. There's one rated below her and three rated higher, so we've got to try to beat one of those above us. It will be a difficult task, but she's in great form and will like the ground. She's won her last two and getting some black type is a big help for these mares; her page is halfway there being a half-sister to Casablanca Mix and we're just trying to finish it off.
Reporting by James Burn

Saturday's race previews:

1.50 Kempton: is 'thorough professional' Knight Salute the most underrated horse in training?

2.05 Lingfield: 'He's shown the old spark' – Lord North takes on Alenquer in Winter Derby

3.00 Kempton: hot favourite Shallwehaveonemore needs to up his game says Gary Moore

3.15 Newcastle: trainer quotes and expert insight for the Eider Chase

3.37 Kempton: 'He's turned a corner' – Christian Williams chases big prize with three chances

4.18 Fairyhouse: last year's Grand National third and fourth go head-to-head in Bobbyjo Chase

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