'Tough and consistent' Fakir D'Oudairies sheds Allaho shadow in Ascot battle

Saturday: Ascot

If only every plan came together like this one.

Joseph O'Brien had long targeted the Ascot Chase as a winnable opportunity for Fakir D'Oudairies and the seven-year-old delivered in spades after a titanic tussle up the straight with Two For Gold.

The seven-year-old has the unfortunate habit of bumping into Allaho, having finished behind him in last season's Ryanair and twice this season, including when beaten 12 lengths in a Grade 2 last time.

However, in the absence of his rival, his biggest challenge in this open Grade 1 came from the unlikely source of 25-1 shot Two For Gold, who pushed him and jockey Mark Walsh all the way to the line.

Ascot had been unlucky for O'Brien, who saddled his first runner over jumps and has drawn a blank on the Flat. He might even have missed out on this winner had Storm Eunice struck a day earlier.

Analysis centre: 'Class won the day' but should Fakir D'Oudairies skip Allaho Ryanair clash?'

"It was tough conditions but he jumped well and it was a pretty gruelling race," said the trainer. "I thought we had every chance turning in but he was slow at the second-last and it was a struggle."

Fakir D'Oudairies, who won for the third time at the highest level, was cut to 7-1 (from 12s) for the Ryanair, which is headed by Allaho, and could also go for the Melling Chase, which he won last season.

"He's never really run a bad race and has come up short a few times, but he always runs with his heart on his sleeve," added O'Brien. "Allaho is a great two-and-a-half miler and when you have a Grade 1 horse you meet the best, but it's nice we didn't take him on today."

The seven-year-old was greeted in the winner's enclosure by Sir Anthony McCoy, representing leading owner JP McManus. The former jockey said: "It was a bit easier for him today. He's tough and consistent. His form is good and you wouldn't mind more like him."

Walsh produced a ride the 20-time champion jockey would have been proud of, looming into contention and rallying the 9-4 favourite after a mistake at the second-last to win by a length and a three-quarters.

Two For Gold (left) produced a career best to finish second to Fakir D'OudairiesCredit: Alan Crowhurst

The jockey dedicated his victory to his uncle Michael, who died during the week, and said: "He was a great man and racing fan. He would have loved to see this. He was always supportive and this is for him.

"They went a proper gallop and his jumping improved. He's tough and the front two battled all the way to the line. I was confident at the second-last but he made a mistake, so we had to battle hard.

"The runner-up stays galloping and doesn't stop, so he had to rally. He clouted the first on his last start, which put him out of the race against Allaho, but I was a lot happier with his jumping this time.

"That's his third Grade 1 over fences and not many horses do that. Hopefully, he can continue to improve. If he comes out of this well, then he could take on Allaho at Cheltenham before going to Aintree."

Two For Gold was to blame for it being such a gruelling race. The nine-year-old, who is owned by the May We Never Be Found Out partnership, kept on well to the line despite being headed at the last.

Among his owners is ITV presenter Oli Bell, who was kept in the paddock to watch the race to avoid a potential repeat of his running on to the track, as he did when Big Orange won the 2017 Gold Cup.

"If somebody said to me this morning he'd finish second in a Grade 1 and run a race like that, I'd have probably told them they were mental," said Bell.

"I knew Fakir was looming up behind him but Two For Gold always fights and I thought if he got into a scrap, he might just have a chance. The rest of the owners are all here enjoying it and it's a brilliant advert for racing."

Read more from Saturday's action:

Analysis centre: 'Class won the day' but should Fakir D'Oudairies skip Allaho Ryanair clash?'

Grand National Trial: The Galloping Bear upsets Bristol De Mai to give Ben Clarke biggest career win

Wincanton Saturday: 'Yes, he's quirky, but that was incredible' - Goshen delivers in Kingwell epic

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