Joseph O'Brien bullish as Fakir D'Oudairies bids for back-to-back Marsh Chases

Marsh Chase (Grade 1) | 5yo+| 2m4f | ITV/RTV

New stars are always exciting but it's good to have old favourites to turn to as well, even if you are used to top-level success all over the world.

Melbourne Cup and Breeders' Cup-winning trainer Joseph O'Brien unveiled a Classic contender on Wednesday at Leopardstown, where the impressive Above The Curve won a maiden in the style of a likely Oaks filly.

Two days later the trainer is looking forward to running Fakir D'Oudairies, who has been contesting Grade 1s since before his young stablemate was foaled and was a close second in the juvenile hurdle at this meeting in 2020.

He went one place better when he returned to Aintree for this race last year, winning by a comfortable 11 lengths.

And the seven-year-old is reported in top form for his bid to become a sixth dual winner of a race first run in 1991, having taken his earnings past £500,000 with success in the Ascot Chase in February.

"He has a great chance, hopefully," O'Brien said. "It's a tough, competitive race but he likes the course and distance."

Skelton confident Allmankind can bounce back

This has been the target for Allmankind since October 24, a day when it looked as though it would take an awfully good horse to beat him.

The exciting front-runner was an impressive winner of the Old Roan Chase over this course and distance, carrying top weight of 11st 10lb yet finding plenty when pressed on the run-in to defy a BHA mark of 160.

Allmankind won the Old Roan Chase at Aintree in OctoberCredit: John Grossick Racing

Things have not gone so well since for the Gredley family's six-year-old, who ran flat in the Peterborough Chase, then fared no better when switched back to hurdles at Fontwell.

However, trainer Dan Skelton is sticking to the original plan and said: "He had a great start to the season but hasn't quite worked out the last couple of runs, but he put so much in at Aintree in October.

"He likes the track and is in good form at home; he's just got to put two very unusual runs for him behind him. I'm sure it will all come back."

What they say

Henry de Bromhead, trainer of Captain Guinness
He's in great form and we're hoping for a good run. Obviously, it's a step up in trip, but we said we'd give it go and see how he gets on.

Gary Moore, trainer of Editeur De Gite
It's an ambitious call to go there. We felt it wasn't the strongest Grade 1 and we thought he'd be better off in that than giving away lumps of weight in the Red Rum Handicap Chase. The heavy ground got him beaten at Cheltenham, so we're hoping we don't get too much rain.

Venetia Williams, trainer of Funambule Sivola
It's a slightly different type of test to Cheltenham and we've got last year's winner to take on again in what is a competitive race. He ran very well at the meeting last year. This time of year a lot depends on who is still at the top of the game at this late stage of the season.

Paul Nicholls, trainer of Hitman and Saint Calvados
We've done things a bit differently with Saint Calvados. He definitely didn't want it soft like it was that day. I'm sure better ground will suit him and going left handed as well. Obviously, he's got issues but if we can overcome them, he's got a small chance. Hitman ran well in the novice chase over this trip last year and I think it suits him better now. He'll get further again next year and it was a bit sharp for him at Newbury. He has an outside chance.

Nicky Henderson, trainer of Mister Fisher
He's in good form and we missed Cheltenham with him because of the ground. It's not been particularly nice at Aintree, and he wouldn't want too much rain as he loves good ground, but I'm very happy with him.

Alan King, trainer of Sceau Royal
I've talked about trying him over further for a long time and my mind was made up after the Game Spirit Chase at Newbury. While he ran a cracking race, he was in top gear from halfway down the back and the extra distance should help him. Well though James Bowen rode him there, it's great to have Daryl Jacob back on board as it's his ride, and the pair were in top form over hurdles together last autumn.

Friday's Aintree previews:

2.20 Aintree: Jonbon 'the one to beat' as Nicky Henderson bids for record sixth Top Novices'

2.55 Aintree: It's a clash we've been waiting on for ages' - get ready for novice thriller

4.05 Aintree: Can Mister Coffey pay off a 'mad idea'? Expert analysis and quotes on the Topham

4.40: Can Banbridge follow recent Martin Pipe winners and prove another Grade 1 horse?

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