Fakir D'Oudairies stakes Triumph claim with impressive win

Fakir D’Oudairies moved to the head of ante-posts lists for the JCB Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival after dominating his rivals in the opening race at Prestbury Park on Saturday.

Having made a winning debut for Joseph O’Brien at Cork three weeks ago, the French recruit was a well-supported 4-1 chance as he stepped up to Grade Two level in a Triumph Hurdle trial in the hands of JJ Slevin.

The son of Kapgarde hassled 5-4 favourite Adjali up front for much of the two-mile-one-furlong journey before easing his way into the lead racing down the hill.

It was clear rounding the home turn that he had his rivals on the stretch and he safely negotiated the final flight to seal a most impressive 13-length victory.

The winner’s stable companion Fine Brunello stuck to his task well to beat Adjali to the runner-up spot and provide O’Brien with a one-two.

Slevin said: “That was great and he had a good win in Cork the last day. He has obviously come on for that and he had loads of experience in France.

“They didn’t hang around. They went a nice, even gallop he travelled very comfortably and jumped well. I didn’t realise I had won that far, but he did it well.

“I’d say he is probably better with a bit of juice in the ground, but it is a long way from being winter ground out there today and he handled it fine.

“Back here in the spring time, I’m sure the ground will be plenty safe enough for him.”

Fakir D’Oudairies was cut to as short as 4-1 for a repeat victory in March, making him the clear favourite ahead of another O’Brien inmate in Sir Erec at around 8-1.