O’Brien’s Betfair G1 Ascot bid

By Andrew Atkinson

Fakir D’Oudairies (3.38) is tipped to land the Grade 1 Betfair Ascot Chase over 2 miles 5 furlongs at Ascot on Saturday.

Joseph O’Brien trained seven-year-old Fakir D’Oudairies, winner of the 2021 Melling Chase, is the first jumps runner O’Brien has saddled at Ascot.

Tom Cannon rides Unanswered Prayers (1.15) Ascot.

“It looks a good opportunity for him to be competitive in Grade 1 company,” said O’Brien.

“He’s a Grade 1 winner – when you meet those Grade 1 horses you bump into the best of the best every time,” said O’Brien.

“It’s great that we have a horse of this calibre that we can go to a race like this with a live chance – it would be very special if we can win it,” added O’Brien.

Saint Calvados, trained by Paul Nicholls, 2021 winner Dashel Drasher, Mister Fisher, Fanion D’Estruval and Waiting Patiently are amongst the runners.

James Bowen who rides Mister Fisher returns to action after winning the Coral Silviniaco Conti Chase at Kempton in January, when tipped by fromthehorsesmouth.info.

“I’m really looking forward to it. I’ve won a few Grade 2s – but this would be my first Grade 1 – he’s got a great chance,” said Bowen.

Betfair G1 Ascot Chase 2m 5f runners and jockeys

Dashel Drasher Rex Dingle

Fakir D’Oudairies Mark Walsh

Fanion D’Estruval Charlie Deutsch

Lostintranslation Brendan Powell

Mister Fisher James Bowen

Saint Calvados Harry Cobden

Two For Gold David Bass

Waiting Patiently Jack Tudor

Betfair Ascot Chase betting: 5-2 Saint Calvados, 7-2 Mister Fisher, 4-1 Fanion D’Estruval, 9-2 Dashel Drasher, Fakir D’Oudairies, 8-1 Lostintranslation, 12-1 Waiting Patiently, Two For Gold.

ASCOT fromthehorsesmouth.info selections: 1.15 Unanswered Prayers. 1.50 Annual Invictus. 2.25 Ask Me Early. 3.00 Good Risk At All. 3.38 Fakir D’Oudairies. 4.10 Imphal. 4.45 Missed Vacation.

Caption: Fakir D’Oudairies (3.38) Ascot.