Fakir seizes on rival’s error

Fakir D’ouDairies capitalised on the last-fence fall of Haut en Couleurs to land a dramatic renewal of the Grade Two Horse & Jockey Hotel Chase at Thurles yesterday.

The Joseph o’Brien-trained eightyearold looked to be coming off second best until Haut en Couleurs knuckled on landing, parting company with Bryan Cooper.

‘He got a little lost around the turn but was galloping down the straight and obviously the horse in front fell,’ o’Brien said. ‘i was very pleased with the performance and how he jumped. He was giving away weight and, as he is getting older, it is taking a bit more work to get him there.

‘He will potentially go back to ascot for the Grade one he won last year (ascot Chase) and then we’ll look at the ryanair Chase and aintree.’

Willie Mullins’ strong novice hurdle team has another dimension after embassy Gardens won as he liked. sky Bet make him 8-1 from 25s for the albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle.

• TOMORROW’S card at Market rasen has been cancelled and the meeting at exeter relies on a 4pm inspection today.