'The best he's jumped' - Pic D'Orhy bounces back to land Nicholls' 12th Pendil

Saturday: Kempton

Paul Nicholls believes we saw the real Pic D'Orhy after the seven-year-old bounced back to land the Grade 2 Pendil Novices' Chase.

The gelding faded into third at Sandown 21 days ago but quickly put that performance behind him when beating Millers Bank by a length after Harry Cobden conjured a huge leap at the last.

It was a second Grade 2 success over fences for Pic D'Orhy, who won the Noel Novices' Chase at Ascot by nine lengths in December.

"I was a little bit nervous coming here so quickly after Sandown, where he didn't run quite so well," said Nicholls, winning the race for a record-extending 12th time. "He choked that day and didn't like the ground but we saw the real Pic D'Orhy today.

"That's the best I've seen him jump. He's learning and the plan is to go for the Manifesto Novices' Chase at Aintree in April. The flat track should suit him better than Cheltenham and we've got a month to prepare."

Brave performance

Aucunrisque did it the hard way to provide Chris Gordon with his second success in three years in the Dovecote Novices' Hurdle.

The trainer, who won the Grade 2 with Highway One O Two in 2020, is keeping the options open for the six-year-old, who is around 20-1 for the McCoy Contractors County Hurdle after beating 6-4 shot Shallwehaveonemore.

"He was there to be shot at from the front but he's done it the tough way and kept picking up," said Gordon. "We could have gone for a much tougher handicap but he'll be in plenty of those in the future.

"It was warrior-like and he stuck his neck out all the way to the line. I try to keep the tactics as simple as possible so we decided to let him bowl along in front so we could make use of his galloping."

Gordon and jockey Tom Cannon doubled up with Storm Dennis, who landed the 2m5f handicap hurdle, and the rider added a third with Onewayortother in the bumper for Toby Lawes.

Sandown aim

Flegmatik earned a possible tilt at the bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown in April when comfortably landing the 2m4½f handicap chase.

His trainer Dan Skelton has long had the Grade 3 in mind for the winner, who stepped down in trip but was eight lengths better than Foxboro.

Skelton, whose brother Harry was riding, said: "There was a little bit of a question mark stepping back from three miles, not necessarily because he lacks ability, but I just wondered if there would be one following us round and outsprinting us late on.

"He's getting the hang of it. He's always been a nice horse but he's taken a lot of time to come right. I'm going to completely leave him until the bet365 Gold Cup on the last day of the season at Sandown.

"I've always had it in my mind that one day he'll be an extreme stayer as he jumps and travels well in the early part of his races."

Results, replays and analysis

More Saturday action:

Adonis Hurdle: Knight Salute maintains unbeaten hurdling record with third Grade 2 win

Bobbjo Chase: 'I couldn't have asked for a better prep' - Aintree favourite delights Ted Walsh

'Over the moon' Christian Williams lands dream Eider Chase-Coral Trophy double

Analysis centre: 'We know he loves those fences' - Any Second Now enhances National claims

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