FAKIR HAS IRISH SMILING
IRELAND fired a warning shot for next month’s Cheltenham Festival when Fakir D’oudairies landed the Betfair Ascot Chase for Co. Kilkenny trainer Joseph O’brien.
Last season, Irishtrained runners cleaned up at the Festival by winning 23 of the 28 races at the meeting.
This season, Irish horses have also dominated in British feature races, most notably when Tornado Flyer took the King Georgevi Chase at
Kempton forwillie Mullins and when A Plus Tard struck gold when taking the Betfair Chase at Haydock in November for Henry de Bromhead.
As expected, the Cheltenham Festival now beckons for Fakir D’oudairies.
O’brien (inset) said: “Cheltenham and Aintree are the two most logical places to go from here –we’ll see how he comes out of today’s race and the decision will then be made about Cheltenham closer to the start of the festival.
“He had a pretty tough race today so we will see how he comes home but those are the logical races for him.”
“He travelled here a bit earlier on Thursday than what he would have under normal circumstances because of the weather but it didn’t interrupt our preparation too much.”
It was a welcomed winner for successful rider Markwalsh who had lost a close relative earlier in the week. “I’d like to dedicate this race to my uncle Michael,”walsh said.
““He was a great man and a great racing fan and he would have loved to see this today. He was always very supportive of me and this one is for him.”
It was the first Irish-trained winner of this Grade One race since Sound Man took the prize for trainer Edward O’grady in 1996.
Fortescue, the winner of the Swinley Chase under Hugh Nugent, and the second home Fiddlerontheroof, showed that they are now worthy players for the Grand National.
But the problem for Fortescue is whether he will get into the iconic race. “At the moment, he has 10st and many will need to come out,” said Nugent. “He liked this ground and jumped well.and while he can be hard work, he always finds more when you ask him.
“I hope he can get in. It would be lovely to ride at Aintree and it would be really lovely for my grandad, who bred him and owns him.”
Daly, also on the mark at Haydock with the promising Hillcrest, completed an Ascot double with the Harry Cobden-ridden Guillemot in the Ascot Racecourse Supports Autism In Racing Handicap Hurdle.
Trainer Sam Thomas also made it a double at the Berkshire course with Skytastic and Good Risk At All, both ridden by Charlie Deutsch.