Fakir D’Oudairies

Fakir D’Oudairies put up a good performance to finish second to Chacun Pour Soi in the Grade 1 Dublin Chase.  Settled back in the field early on, fourth of the six runners, he made ground as they raced down the back straight to move into second place behind Notebook when Min made a bad mistake at the third fence down the back straight. He travelled well out of the back straight, and he moved to the front ahead of Notebook as they straightened up for home. Chacun Pour Soi made his ground between the two leaders and jumped the last friend in front but, while he had no answer to the winner’s surge, Fakir D’Oudairies kept on well to take second place behind him, coming seven lengths clear of Notebook and Tornado Flyer.

This was a good step forward by Joseph O’Brien’s horse. Beaten by Notebook in the Grade 2 Poplar Square Chase over two miles at Naas on his debut this season, he was pulled up in the Savills Chase over three miles at Leopardstown at Christmas, but he ran well for a long way in that race before it appeared that he reached the limit of his stamina range. Winner of the Grade 1 Drinmore Chase over two and a half miles as a novice last season, and second in the Arkle at Cheltenham, he shaped here as if he will appreciate a step back up to two and a half miles. We know that he goes well at Cheltenham and, as such, he could be a big player if he takes his chance in the Ryanair Chase.
Leopardstown, 6^th February 2021