Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Fakir to D’ou the business for O’brien
IMPERIAL ALCAZAR (1.55) can escape from the pack to win the Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle.
This lightly raced sevenyear-old is trained by Fergal O’brien and arrives at Cheltenham a fresh horse after victory at Warwick in January.
That day he beat Mr Harp by two and a quarter lengths — who went on to finish second in a Grade 2 at Haydock behind another O’brien horse, Alaphilippe last month.
O’brien is having his best-ever season and a first Festival winner would be the icing on the cake.
The Ryanair Chase is a wide-open affair, but the value could be
FAKIR D’OUDAIRIES
(2.30). The six-year-old trained by Joseph O’brien (above) is a classy young chaser, who found Chacun Pour Soi too good for him last month at Leopardstown, over a trip three furlongs shorter than today.
Prior to that he ran a blinder to finish second in last year’s Arkle Challenge Trophy behind Put The Kettle On, who won the Champion Chase yesterday.
But significantly Fakir D’oudaries’ last win was over today’s trip in the Drinmore Novice Chase at Fairyhouse, where he thrashed Ronald Pump by 22 lengths.
The Stayer’s Hurdle can also go the way of the Irish with
FLOORING PORTER
(3.05). This improving six-year-old, trained by Gavin Cromwell, has been transformed since moving up to three miles and has steadily improved with every run.
His six-length victory over The Storyteller in the Grade 1 Leopardstown Christmas Hurdle was mightily impressive.
TODAY’S SELECTIONS
Imperial Alcazar
1.55 Cheltenham
Fakir D’oudairies
2.30 Cheltenham
Flooring Porter
3.05 Cheltenham
1.20 Envoi Allen (Nap) 1.55 The Bosses Oscar 2.30 Melon
3.05 Paisley Park
3.40 Farclas
4.15 Roseys Hollow 4.50 Hold The Note LONGSHOT: Longshot: Mrs Milner (1.55)