Fakir D'Oudairies target to be decided late as JP McManus forms top festive team

A decision on whether brilliant Drinmore Novice Chase winner Fakir D'Oudairies will line up at Leopardstown or Limerick at Christmas will be left until the last minute, according to JP McManus's racing manager Frank Berry.

Declarations for the Grade 1 Racing Post Novice Chase (2m1f) at Leopradstown and Limerick's Matchbook Betting Exchange Novice Chase (2m3½f) on December 26 must be made by 10am on Monday.

Connections are biding their time but should the bold-jumping four-year-old take his chance at Leopardstown he would be likely to lock horns with even-money favourite Laurina, while a clash with 10-11 market leader Samcro and 3-1 shot Faugheen would be on the cards at the Munster venue.

"It's going to be a last-minute decision as to where we go with Fakir D'Oudairies," said Berry. "We'll weigh up whether he'll run at Leopardstown or Limerick. He seems very well since his win at Fairyhouse, though."

Bookmakers have priced up Joseph O'Brien's star as an 11-8 chance for the shorter assignment in County Dublin, while he is available at as a big as 12-1 for the Limerick Grade 1.

McManus will, unsurprisingly, be well represented over the festive period, holding 45 individual entries across Ireland and Britain on December 26 alone.

The owner has recently snapped up exciting juvenile Cerberus, fresh from getting the better of the owner's A Wave Of The Sea, a stablemate at O'Brien's, in Grade 3 company at Fairyhouse this month.

Berry said of the progressive three-year-old: "He's been consistent and has obviously been running well over hurdles so far, so it's nice to have him with us.

"He'll have the option of going to Chepstow [for the Grade 1 Finale Juvenile Hurdle], while also being entered at Leopardstown. A Wave Of The Sea will go for the Grade 2 juvenile hurdle at Leopardstown on December 26."

Darasso has recorded Graded wins over fences and hurdles for Joseph O'BrienCredit: Patrick McCann

The supplementary entry of Grade 2-winning chaser Darasso was an eyecatching addition to the Grade 1 Matheson Hurdle field at Leopardstown over two miles, with last season's Red Mills Trial Hurdle winner initially having been entered in the Savills Chase.

"He isn't the easiest horse to place but Joseph is happy with him and hopefully the race might cut up a bit – he likes soft ground," said the ten-time champion jump jockey.

Darasso is priced between 3-1 and 7-1 to lower the colours of Klassical Dream on December 29, with the Willie Mullins-trained Champion Hurdle favourite a best-price 11-8 to bounce back from his Morgiana Hurdle defeat.

McManus is responsible for the third and fourth favourites in the ante-post market for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle, with both Blue Sari and Unexcepted likely to advertise their Cheltenham claims over the festive period.

Unexcepted is a general 10-1 chance for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle and is entered in the Signsplus Hurdle at Limerick on December 26Credit: Alain Barr

"Blue Sari is an intended runner at this stage for the two-mile Grade 1 novice hurdle at Leopardstown," said Berry of the 11-4 shot for the Paddy Power Future Champions Novice Hurdle.

"He was workmanlike when winning on his hurdles debut at Punchestown but was a bit keen and we're hoping he can improve."

French recruit Unexcepted, a half-brother to connections' enigmatic but talented Great Field, created a big impression when winning on his Irish introduction at Fairyhouse last month and is also on course for a step up in class at Limerick.

"We were happy with Unexcepted at Fairyhouse and the plan is for him to run at Limerick on the 26th. He seems to be more sensible than his half-brother – hopefully he can stay that way."

Read The Lowdown from 8.30am daily onracingpost.com and the Racing Post app for all the day's going updates, news and tips