Melon no match for Fakir D'Oudairies as O'Brien star wins on chasing debut

Fakir D'Oudairies won the battle of the high-class hurdlers in a top-notch 2m1f beginners' chase at Navan.

Last season's Supreme Novices' Hurdle fourth, who finished second in Grade 1 company at Aintree and Punchestown in the spring, jumped well in front under Mark Walsh.

And though fellow chasing debutant Melon, a dual runner-up in the Champion Hurdle, got to within a length at the second-last fence, the winner held on well to score by three lengths.