PIC D’ORHY is fancied to make it third time lucky over fences with a victory in the Sky Bet Noel Novices’ Chase (3.05) at Ascot.
Last season’s Betfair Hurdle hero comes into the Grade 2 test on the back of a chasing debut second to Le Patriote at Market Rasen in October and a fall behind Chantry House at the royal racecourse last month.
But Harry Cobden’s mount was still moving with ominous ease when coming to grief at the third-last obstacle and can show his true colours this time.
Tom Symonds’ team is running with distinction and the Hereford trainer’s LLANDINABO LAD has plenty going for him in the Grade 2 Sky Bet Supreme Trial Novices’ Hurdle (2.30).
Llandinabo Lad’s rider Dicky Johnson should rack up an ITV4 double, teed up by EVERGLOW in the Sky Bet Money Back As Cash Maiden Hurdle (1.20).
There is more to come from EDITEUR DU GITE, who gets the vote over favourite Mack The Man for the Sky Bet Extra Places Every Day Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (1.55).
Henry de Bromhead and Rachael Blackmore have another potential star on their hands in the form of HOLYMACAPONY, who is taken to build on an eight-length score at Punchestown last month to lift Navan’s Grade 2 Make BetVictor Your Best Bet Novice Hurdle (1.35).
Friday's tips
SOUTHWELL
11.55 LEXI THE ONE
12.25 HERON
12.55 STONE SOLDIER
1.30 BIRKENHEAD
2.05 TYNECASTLE PARK
2.40 MISTER FREEZE
3.15 FLY TRUE
3.45 KENTUCKY KINGDOM
UTTOXETER
12.07 LILITH
12.37 DONALD DUX
1.10 TUPELO MISSISSIPPI
1.45 DUHALLOW LAD
2.20 SAINT DALINA
2.55 SHANTY ALLEY
3.27 FANFARON DINO
ASCOT
12.45 STEAL A MARCH
1.20 EVERGLOW
1.55 EDITEUR DU GITE
2.30 LLANDINABO LAD
3.05 PIC D’ORHY
3.35 STAGE STAR
WOLVERHAMPTON
4.10 THEGREYVTRAIN
4.45 DUBAI PARADISE
5.15 BEAUTY STONE
5.45 TO THE BAR
6.15 UPROAR
6.45 EXALTED ANGEL (NAP)
7.15 ELUSIVE TREAT
7.45 AUTUMN WAR (NB)
8.15 TRULY TOGETHER
DOUBLE : EXALTED ANGEL and AUTUMN WAR
