The Joseph O’Brien trained Fakir D’Oudairies moved to the top of the JCB Triumph Hurdle betting at the Cheltenham Festival after putting his rivals to the sword in the opening race on Cheltenham Trials Day.
Fakir D’Oudairies powered up the hill to win by an impressive 13 lengths from his stable companion Fine Brunello, with the well fancied favourite Adjali a further three and a half back in third.
J.J Slevin, who rode the winner said: “Fakir D’Oudairies had a good win at Cork the last day and has obviously come on for it. He has loads of experience from his time in France and that was a good performance.
"It’s a Grade 2 and we didn’t hang around – we went a nice, even gallop – and my horse travelled very comfortably and jumped very well. He stuck at it very well – I didn’t realise I had won by so far, but he did it very well.”
“I would say that he would be better with a bit of juice in the ground, but it is a long way from being winter ground out there. He handled it fine and I am sure he will be fine on the ground in the spring.
Daryl Jacob, on board Adjali, said of his mount: “Adjali has run well. The Irish horses seem to be the best juveniles, but I think we might see a better Adjali at The Festival in March.”
Fakir D’Oudairies is now a 4/1 chance with us for a repeat victory in March, making him the clear favourite ahead of his stablemate Sir Erec at 6/1.
Triumph Hurdle odds: https://www.888sport.com/horse-racing/
Kildisart, the winner of the Timeform Novices’ Handicap Chase, is now at the mercy of the handicapper when it comes down to which Festival engagement he will take up, according to his trainer Ben Pauling.
A rise of anything more than 4lbs would rule the seven-year-old out of his preferred option, the Close Brothers Novices’ Handicap Chase, so a switch to the JLT would be the backup plan.
Pauling said: "He is becoming quite a decent little horse. His jumping can still be improved as he gets in a little close to a couple of them, but he doesn't seem to lose an enormous amount of momentum. He won it very nicely and is a progressive horse.
"Hopefully he will still be within the parameters of the Close Brothers Chase, but we might have to look at the JLT if he is put up more than 4lb."
Close Brothers Novices' Handicap Chase betting: https://www.888sport.com/horse-racing/
Siruh Du Lac battled back doggedly against Janika in pulsating finish to the Spectra Cyber Security Solutions Trophy Handicap Chase.
Having won five of his last six races, the Nick Williams-trained six-year-old was always in vanguard under a positive ride from Lizzie Kelly, just getting the better of Janika by the smallest of margins in a protracted battle to the line.
The winner is now a 10/1 shot for the Close Brothers Chase at the Festival, while we make Janika a 20/1 contender for the Ryanair Chase.
Ryanair Chase betting: https://www.888sport.com/horse-racing/
Frodon claimed a fourth win at Cheltenham when taking the Cotswold Chase under Bryony Frost and will probably now contest the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
Frost said: "I say it all the time - he is a complete pleasure (to ride). I've never ridden a horse that has a heart like him and over the last two it is visible for everyone to see.
"You can see how brave and awesome he is. He is the most amazing person and when I call upon on him, he answers every time.”
Frodon’s trainer, Paul Nicholls, was quick to confirm the Gold Cup route for his star seven-year-old: "I don't think he has the pace to win a Ryanair.
"I think the Gold Cup is more suitable for him as he stays and I just said to the owner beforehand that he has had six or seven weeks off and he looked a gallop short and will improve for today.
"I always hate coming back after a break, but that was astonishing. He just idles a bit in front then stays on again.
"He was giving them weight as well and I still feel there is a bit of improvement in him.
"He loves the track and is improving rapidly. He is rated 169 and that would have put him second in last year's Gold Cup. In a year that is quite open, I'm definitely dead keen to go.
"The Gold Cup is a more realistic trip as he gets them off the bridle with his jumping."
The runner-up Elegant Escape is priced up at 20/1, while Terrefort, who finished a promising third is a 25/1 chance in horses betting odds with 888sport.
Cheltenham Gold Cup betting: https://www.888sport.com/horse-racing/
Nicky Henderson's Birchdale extended his unbeaten run by taking the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle Trial.
We now make the J.P McManus runner a 10/1 poke for the Ballymore final at the Festival, while the unfortunate last flight faller Brewin'upastorm is marginally behind him at 12/1 for the same race.
Ballymore Novices' Hurdle betting: https://www.888sport.com/horse-racing/
The Emma Lavelle-trained Paisley Park made it four from four this season when landing the Cleeve Hurdle and has now been installed as the 11/4 favourite for the Stayers’ Hurdle at the Festival.
Speaking after the race, Lavelle said: Lavelle said: "That was quite impressive. He just has such a great way of going in that he doesn't use any more energy than he needs to and then when Aidan winds him up, he just picks up.
"Aidan said he got there two furlongs two soon. The last hurdle today is the first hurdle he has jumped in front in his life as he gets a lead at home as well.
"He looked pretty special out there. I hope we have the same preparation for Cheltenham in March as we had for this race."
Stayers’ Hurdle betting: https://www.888sport.com/horse-racing/
*Odds subject to change - correct at time of writing*
