Fakir D'Oudairies headlines field of nine entries for Marsh Chase at Aintree

Fakir D'Oudairies remains on course for his hat-trick attempt in Friday's Marsh Chase after he featured among nine entries for the Grade 1 at Aintree.

Horses can still be supplemented for the Grade 1 race, which is the feature on the second day of the Grand National meeting on Friday, at a cost of £10,120. However, those already set to take on the hat-trick-seeking Fakir D'Oudairies include Pic D'Orhy, Hitman and Millers Bank.

No horse has won the race, registered as the Melling Chase, three times but a repeat of Fakir D'Oudairies's win from 12 months ago would see him surpass the five other two-time winners of the contest including Viking Flagship, Moscow Flyer and Voy Por Ustedes.

But the Joseph O'Brien-trained eight-year-old was a beaten favourite in the Ascot Chase last time and will need to reverse the form with second-place finisher Pic D'Orhy, who tops the betting.

Trained by Paul Nicholls, Pic D'Orhy was no match for Shishkin that day but was seven lengths clear of his Irish rival and is fancied to build on his fine season which also includes wins in the Peterborough Chase and the Silviniaco Conti Chase.

He could be joined by stablemate Hitman, who was second in this 12 months ago, although he also has an entry in the Bowl on Thursday.

French Dynamite, Fury Road and Magic Daze could also represent Ireland, while Fugitif, Millers Bank and Minella Drama complete the possible line-up at this stage.

Envoi Allen, Shishkin, Captain Guinness and Editeur Du Gite were all shorter than 12-1 in the ante-post betting but were not entered.

Elsewhere, 14 are on track for the Air Charter Services Mildmay Novices' Chase (1.45) including narrow Cheltenham Festiaval runner-up Gerri Colombe. Stage Star, winner of the Turners at the meeting, also appears on the list but also has an entry on Thursday, while Bronn, City Chief and Journey With Me are entered.

38 remain on track for the Topham but the weights have been raised 4lb after Royal Rendezvous was taken out. Haut En Couleurs is the new top weight and leading fancies Gesskille, Ashtown Lad and Al Dancer remain on course for the race.

The Poundland Top Novices' Hurdle (2.55) could feature some key runners from the festival including Inthepocket, Luccia, Tahmuras and You Wear It Well clashing with exciting prospects Altobelli, Amir Kabir and Springwell Bay.

There has been 22 entries in the Winners Wear Cavani Sefton Novices' Hurdle (4.40) including Albert Bartlett hero Stay Away Fay, Hermes Allen, Absolute Notions and Grey Dawning.

Marsh Chase (Grade 1)

Fakir D'Oudairies
French Dynamite
Fugitif
Fury Road
Hitman
Magic Daze
Millers Bank
Minella Drama
Pic D'Orhy

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