'He'll get three miles and the King George is a possibility' – Paul Nicholls leaves Kempton door ajar for Pic D'Orhy

Paul Nicholls is open to the idea of supplementing Pic D'Orhy for the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase over Christmas after the dual Grade 1 winner made the perfect start to his season in the Copybet 1965 Chase.

A standing dish at Ascot, Johnny de la Hey's nine-year-old made it back-to-back wins in this Grade 2, scoring at the royal racecourse for the fourth time in his career under Harry Cobden.

"I'm thrilled with that and it's a nice start to the season," said Nicholls. "Although he was fit, a big horse like that will always improve for a run."

Although untested beyond 2m5f over fences, Nicholls is adamant Pic D'Orhy can stay three miles, making races like the King George and Fleur De Lys Chase attractive propositions.

"He'll definitely get three miles," said the 14-time champion trainer. "Johnny and I have spoken about the King George and it's a possibility. The thing about supplementing is it allows us to wait until closer to the time to see who is and who isn't in it.

"There's also the Fleur de Lys Chase at Windsor just after Christmas which would suit him. It's a big pot and he'd love it around there, and there's the Grade 1 Ascot Chase back here which he won last year. There's a lot of nice races for him and we've just got to make a plan."

National dreams for Beauport

Beauport added the inaugural 1st Class Logistics Berkshire National to last season's win in the Midlands National, and it did not take long for Grand National-winning owner Bryan Burrough to set his sights on the Aintree spectacular on April 5 after a monstrous 31-length win.

Burrough was just 23 when Corbiere carried his colours to victory in the 1983 National and, on soft ground, he definitely sees Beauport as a live contender.

"His jumping was spectacular," said the winning owner. "He's had a few physical problems, but Nigel Twiston-Davies and his team have done brilliantly to get him into that kind of shape.

"He should be put up enough after that to sneak into the National so that must be a race we've got to think very hard about.

"We always thought he was a potential National horse and, after a Midlands and Berkshire National, we probably need to go to Liverpool at some stage. There won't be many British runners, but I hope he can be one of them."

Beauport also provided a first win on his first ride at Ascot for talented amateur jockey Toby McCain-Mitchell.

Toby McCain-Mitchell records his first Ascot victory as Beauport runs out a 31-length winner of the Berkshire NationalCredit: Edward Whitaker

Plan B pays off for Henderson

Lucky Place is heading down the Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle route after taking some notable scalps in the Grade 2 Howden Ascot Hurdle.

Fourth in last season's Coral Cup as a novice, Lucky Place got the better of last year's winner Blueking D'Oroux, Champion Hurdle fifth Colonel Mustard and Cheltenham Festival winner Golden Ace on his seasonal comeback.

"That was plan B unfortunately," said winning trainer Nicky Henderson. "I'm not going to bang on about it, but he's meant to be going novice chasing but I couldn't see anywhere to go, so we brought him back into here instead.

"He jumps fences beautifully, but maybe we'll keep that until next season now."

While connections of Golden Ace felt she would benefit from dropping back to two miles, Henderson is hoping Lucky Place can excel at three over hurdles.

He added: "We're going to have to have a look if he stays three miles and whether he's a Stayers' horse. We could look at the Relkeel Hurdle on New Year's Day as a stepping stone."

Challow beckons for Tizzard ace

Western Knight looks set to put his unbeaten record over jumps on the line in the Grade 1 Coral Challow Hurdle at Newbury on December 28 after making it two wins from two starts over obstacles in the 2m5½f novice hurdle.

"He's an improver," said winning trainer Joe Tizzard. "He jumped much slicker with experience under his belt and he's clearly got an engine. He's a big horse and softer ground shouldn't inconvenience him.

"He's won two over hurdles now and you'd have to have a look at something like the Challow over Christmas. He deserves to have a go."

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