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Fakir D'Oudairies cruises to Marsh Chase double
Fakir D’oudairies fairly bolted up to register back-to-back wins in the Marsh Chase at Aintree for Joseph O’Brien.
Having won at Ascot last time out, O’Brien decided to skip a clash with Allaho in the Ryanair at Cheltenham so he could arrive on Merseyside fresh.
Sent off the heavily-backed 10-11 favourite, Mark Walsh appeared to be in the ideal position throughout.
Editeur Du Gite set a stiff enough gallop for a horse stepping up in trip, but the big guns began queuing up behind as they turned into the straight.
Paint The Dream took over seemingly going well, although eyes were drawn to both the market leader and Hitman.
On the run to the second-last Hitman and Lorcan Williams appeared to be travelling the stronger, but the picture soon changed.
Fakir D’oudiaires quickened impressively when asked and sprinted clear for a five-and-a-half-length win. Sceau Royal was back in third.
O’Brien said: “I’m delighted with that. Mark gave him a great ride and he’s been a great servant to us that horse over a number of years. Hopefully he’ll be around another few years yet.
“I have to see the race again, but it’s as good a performance as he’s put up I’d say.
“I think there’s no doubt it was a deeper race this year and I was surprised he was as short a price as he was, to be honest.
“We’ll see about Punchestown. He doesn’t owe us anything this year, so we’ll take him home and discuss it with JP (McManus) and Frank (Berry). I wouldn’t be much either way at the moment.”
He added: “It’s great to come here and have a winner. It’s a special week and we’re lucky to have good support and nice horses.”
Paul Nicholls said of Hitman and Saint Calvados (fifth): “We’ve always held him (Hitman) in high regard and thought of him as a Frodon or a Clan (Des Obeaux). He’s a work in progress. That was a career-best run, and I think there will be more to come.
“He hasn’t raced much this season and he could run again, at either Punchestown or Sandown.
“Saint Calvados looks like he wants three miles. He’s the sort that could go really well at Kempton in the King George. I will send him to the Oaksey Chase at Sandown now.”