Everything points to Fakiera as Gordon Elliott seeks to continue hot streak

1.40 Thurles
Adare Manor Opportunity Maiden Hurdle | 2m | 5yo+ | ITV4/RTV

The longer the season goes on, the easier maiden hurdles should be to win. Not this one.

Gordon Elliott has picked the opener at Thurles to try to break Fakiera's duck. The five-year-old has yet to win, but that does not tell the whole story. His form is rock-solid and anything other than victory will be a bitter disappointment.

The son of Cokoriko began his career at Fairyhouse last Easter and went into plenty of notebooks when finishing fourth to the highly regarded Uhtred in the valuable Tattersalls sales bumper. He filled the same position in a Leopardstown bumper at Christmas and that form has worked out particularly well as the runner-up, Ferny Hollow, ran away with the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham last week.

Fakiera has been runner-up to Entoucas and Jon Snow in his two outings over hurdles, posting Racing Post Ratings of 130 each time, and a repeat of either of those performances ought to be good enough to take this prize.

The biggest danger could be hurdling debutante, Politeese. Her bumper success here last time was easy on the eye and Lorna Fowler says her schooling has been top notch from day one. She is a promising mare, but experience could be her downfall against Fakiera.

The other to consider is Arthurian Fame, a 98-rated middle-distance performer on the Flat. His first start over hurdles at Cork was full of promise, but his last two efforts at Leopardstown and Clonmel have been steps in the wrong direction. The heavy ground was probably to blame for the most recent of those, so do not be surprised to see an improved showing here.

Fakiera ticks all the boxes, though, and should be able to continue Elliott's hot streak following his seven winners at the Cheltenham Festival.

What the connections say

Joseph O'Brien, trainer of Arthurian Fame
The ground was completely against him at Clonmel. It was heavy and he didn't enjoy it at all. Hopefully it won't be as bad this time and he would have his chance if it's not.

Gordon Elliott, trainer of Fakiera
I think he's bumped into a few really decent horses so far. He didn't do much wrong last time at Leopardstown and a similar sort of run would surely put him right in the mix. He's a nice horse and we're hopeful. It looks a good opportunity for him.

John Joe Walsh, trainer of Blanketontheground
She's a consistent mare, but this is a really hot maiden hurdle for Thurles at this time of year and I can't see how she would have any chance of winning.

Lorna Fowler, trainer of Politesse
She didn't have a hard race when she won her bumper at Thurles. She's done lots of schooling and has been a natural from day one. She enjoys it. For a big mare, she's neat over her hurdles and looks where she's going. There are plenty in it with experience so the idea is that she enjoys herself and learns plenty.

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