Fakir D'Oudairies among the eye-catching names to go point-to-pointing this season

A brand new season of point-to-pointing brings with it a new cast of faces for the ever-popular open division.

The pointing arm of the sport has not only filled its leading role of supplying proven young horses for the track, but the open category between the flags has long offered older horses further competitive opportunities. While recent years have seen younger, more progressive horses favoured as the ones likely to make the grade in the top hunter chases, older horses can still find their level point-to-pointing in open company. 

This season, Fakir D’Oudairies is the early standout name to have received a hunter certificate. The four-time Grade 1 winner twice achieved Racing post Ratings of 170 in winning consecutive runnings of the Marsh Chase at Aintree for Joseph O’Brien. 

But the ten-year-old has been without a win since a Grade 2 success at Thurles in 2023 and has now switched stables to join Enda Bolger in preparation for his point-to-point debut. He has certainly joined the right outfit to rekindle his fire, with the renowned Bolger having already claimed the initial open of the season at Castletown-Geoghegan with Solitary Man. 

Bolger’s pair could cross paths with the likes of Gordon Elliott’s The Goffer, Chemical Energy and Tullybeg, who have all received hunter certificates in recent weeks. The 2023 Kerry National winner Desertmore House and Panda Boy, who twice finished placed in the Paddy Power Chase, are others, with the latter a potential opponent for the all-conquering open performer Winged Leader at Portrush on Saturday.

Winged Leader (Barry O'Neill) could take the record for the number of pointing wins at Portrush on SaturdayCredit: PAT HEALY

After equalling the modern record of Still William’s 33 victories at Necarne last May, David Christie’s 11-year-old could make his much-anticipated return at a track where he has flourished. He has won on five of his six visits to the course, with Saturday's race having the potential to be his most significant. Should he come out on top, he will collect a first prize of €1,400, with open races benefiting from the boost in prize-money this term to bring their value to €2,000 apiece. 

While the additional prize-money is not going to be a significant incentive in attracting any of these well-known track names into the pointing ranks, it will be interesting to see if any discernible boost will follow in the spring, when easier opportunities often present themselves for lower-grade performers.

Weekend fixtures

Saturday
Portrush, first race 13.00

Sunday
Loughrea, first race 13.00

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