King George 'a tempting target' says Pic D'Orhy winning owner Johnny de la Hey

Sunday: Fitzdares Peterborough Chase, Huntingdon

Owner Johnny de la Hey said he could be tempted by a tilt at the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase at Christmas after watching Pic D'Orhy make all the running to land the Grade 2 Fitzdares Peterborough Chase.

The 2020 Betfair Hurdle winner was twice a Grade 2 winner over fences as a novice last season and connections are hopeful Pic D'Orhy can bridge the gap to the highest level this season, although his time might well come at Aintree in April rather than Kempton on Boxing Day.

In what looked a competitive running of Huntingdon's signature race, Pic D'Orhy was given a confident front-running ride from Harry Cobden and never looked likely to be reeled in after continually making ground with his efficient jumping.

"We kept him as a novice for two years and that was the making of him," said De la Hey. "That first year he really didn't get it jumping-wise and last year he improved a lot.

"I thought he'd moved forward again with his jumping when winning at Newton Abbot at the beginning of this season, and today I thought he was superb.

Paul Nicholls: 'The race that I really think will suit him is the Silviniaco Conti Chase at Kempton'Credit: Edward Whitaker

"He's only seven and is still entitled to improve a little bit. It's coming together but he needs better ground and preferably to go right-handed. We'll just have to pick our way."

Winning trainer Paul Nicholls already has Bravemansgame, Hitman and Frodon engaged in the King George, but Paddy Power cut Pic D'Orhy to 25-1 (from 40) for the big one at Christmas.

"I'd be tempted, but only tempted," said De la Hey. "One of the problems we'd have is that we'd probably want Harry Cobden, and Harry realistically isn't going to get off Bravemansgame."

Nicholls was making his first visit to Huntingdon since Valley Henry finished third in the 2003 Peterborough Chase and Pic D'Orhy's win was by no means unexpected.

"I remember the last time I came because it was the day England won the Rugby World Cup," said the champion trainer. "I was with Paul Barber and as we were driving in we were listening to it on the radio, and that's when Jonny Wilkinson made that famous kick."

Asked about Pic D'Orhy as a potential King George contender, he added: "We've got three others who are going to run in it. I've no doubt he will get a trip like that, but he does love to dominate and in a race like that it might not happen.

"It's a discussion that we'll have, but the race that I really think will suit him is the Silviniaco Conti Chase at Kempton over two and a half miles at the end of January.

"After that I'd love to have him at his very best for the two-and-a-half-mile Grade 1 [Marsh Chase] at Aintree in the spring."

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