Fakir D'oudairies and Mark Walsh © Photo Healy Racing
Fakir D'oudairies powered clear in the closing stages to run out an easy winner of the Grade 2 Clonmel Oil Chase on his return to action this afternoon.
The Joseph O'Brien-trained gelding, impressive winner of the Grade 1 Marsh Chase at Aintree in April, proved a different class to his three rivals this afternoon.
Mark Walsh tracked the front-running Royal Rendezvous in the two-and-a-half mile contest before letting his mount ease into the lead before the second last.
The JP McManus-owned Kapgarde gelding was shaken up briefly to quicken away between the last two fences and Walsh was pulling up close home on the 5/4 favourite to record a 15-length success.
Frank Berry, racing manager to McManus, said:- "That was a good performance, he loves that ground and you couldn't ask for better because the other horses were fit from the summer. He handles those conditions which is a bonus.
"He was fit today but hopefully he will improve.
"This or the John Durkan Chase were the only races he could go for and rather than going for the Durkan, this gives him a bit longer to Christmas now. He'll have an entry in the King George and the Savills Chase over Christmas.
"You could only be pleased with him and we're delighted."
(Quotes by Tom Weekes)
