Joseph O'Brien puts exciting Fakir D'Oudairies on course for Christmas mission

Joseph O'Brien believes Fakir D’Oudairies' greatest asset is his jumping as he lines up the exciting four-year-old for another top-level assignment at Christmas.

The Racing Post Novice Chase at Leopardstown on December 26 is under serious consideration for Fakir D'Oudairies, who landed the Grade 1 Drinmore Novice Chase by 22 lengths at Fairyhouse on Sunday after being left clear by the exit of Samcro at the second last.

Speaking on Monday at the launch of the Leopardstown Christmas meeting at his yard in Owning, County Kilkenny, O’Brien said: “Fakir D’Oudairies was very good at Fairyhouse. It’s hard to know what would have happened had Samcro not fallen but our horse’s jumping was very quick and accurate, especially over the last mile of the race.

"He really attacks his fences and has a great attitude. He was good when winning his first chase at Navan and can take lengths out of his rivals jumping."

Fakir D'Oudairies (right) at Joseph O'Brien's yard on Monday with Darasso (left) and RhinestoneCredit: ©INPHO/Morgan Treacy

The Drinmore was over two and a half miles but O'Brien would not be concerned about taking Fakir D'Oudairies back to two miles one furlong in the Racing Post Novice Chase. The four-year-old beat dual Champion Hurdle runner-up Melon over that trip when both made their chasing debut at Navan last month.

O'Brien said: "He’ll have no problem dropping three furlongs in trip at Leopardstown, although he’s also in the Grade 1 at Limerick over two and a half miles on the same day. He has to have juice in the ground and that'll be a factor when it comes to making plans.”

Looking further ahead, O’Brien said: “As far as Cheltenham is concerned we’ll keep our options open as long as possible. It'll probably be the Arkle or the JLT, but it’s still a long way off and I’d imagine it'll be a late call.”

Fakir D’Oudairies was one of three winners for O’Brien on Sunday and that brought his tally of winners to 176 in the calendar year, two more than the score he achieved in 2018. A man for all seasons, O’Brien said: “I enjoy training jumpers and will continue to do so, but long term I’m planning to concentrate more on the Flat.”

Cerberus and A Wave Of The Sea gave O’Brien a one-two in the Grade 3 juvenile hurdle at Fairyhouse and are likely to clash again in the Grade 2 Knight Frank Juvenile Hurdle at Leopardstown on December 26.

O’Brien said: “Cerberus jumped well and won well on Sunday. He has plenty of pace whereas A Wave Of The Sea wasn’t as fluent. Leopardstown should suit him better than Fairyhouse and he was giving the winner 4lb.”

Of Eric Bloodaxe, who completed the trainer's Fairyhouse hat-trick when landing the bumper, O'Brien said: "He'll either go to Leopardstown for a winners' bumper at Christmas or wait for the Grade 2 bumper at the Dublin Racing Festival."

Eric Bloodaxe (left): is one of Joseph O'Brien's best novice hurdle prospectsCredit: ©INPHO/Morgan Treacy

Front View, a winner at Cork since finishing runner-up to Envoi Allen at Down Royal early last month, is likely to reoppose Gordon Elliott’s unbeaten star in the Grade 1 Paddy Power Future Champions Novice Hurdle on December 27.

Tower Bridge, a Grade 1 winner over hurdles but yet to win in six attempts over fences, is being aimed at the Paddy Power Handicap Chase on the same day.

Band Of Outlaws and Early Doors, both of whom won over hurdles at the Cheltenham Festival in March, will see action over Christmas. Early Doors is set to go for a beginners' chase, while Band Of Outlaws will run in a handicap hurdle at Leopardstown or a Grade 3 hurdle at Limerick.

"Leopardstown's Christmas meeting is one of the big festivals of the year and we'll be well represented," O'Brien said.

For must-have offers tap the free bets button on the racecard on the website and app or go to racingpost.com/free-bets