Expert Analysis

This ended up a pretty straightforward win for Fakir d’Oudairies, with his two main rivals in the market running poorly, but he did it well, and in a decent time, probably improving a little on previous form while undoubtedly paying compliments to Chacun Pour Soi and especially Allaho, who had given him handsome beatings at Leopardstown and Cheltenham respectively. His rating is about average for a winner of this race recently.

FAKIR D’OUDAIRIES (167 here, 162 previously) had plenty in his favour and capitalised this time with two of his main rivals running poorly, tracking the pace, jumping a bit to his left at times, leading after three out and soon in command, no more than nudged out. He will probably still prove effective at 16f on softer and with a good pace (which was the case here, with a 98% finishing speed), but around 20f may be absolutely perfect, providing he can avoid Allaho in the kind of form that one was in at Cheltenham.

NUTS WELL (155 here, 158 previously), whose jockey no longer claims 3 lb, ran well against one of the best horses in this division, mid-field, getting sandwiched after 3 out, switched and responding well until one paced on the run-in. He’s done well for his small stable, winning 5 of his 6 most recent starts before this but is 10 now and not necessarily much better than this. 16f and 20f seem to come alike to him.

ITCHY FEET (154 here and previously) has not won in over a year but emerges with plenty of credit for this, towards the rear and with a fair bit to do turning in but staying on for third despite showing a slight tendency to lug to his right. This seems about his best trip, at least granted a good pace, as here.

POLITOLOGUE (139 here, 171 previously) had about the winning of this at his best but has problems which may explain his inconsistency further in the past also, reportedly bleeding here having been pulled out of the Champion Chase at Cheltenham just before the start for that reason, also. He went well enough close up and may even have led for a stride or 2 after 3 out, edging left and caving in soon after. 

DUC DES GENIEVRES (137 here, 155 previously) has run more modest races than good this season, and this was one of them, never really looking like getting into it from the rear. 

MASTER TOMMYTUCKER (133 here, 159 previously) hardly makes life easy for himself or his supporters, headstrong and making mistakes as well as stumbling and nearly unseating at the fourth, quickly done with after 3 out. 

NOTEBOOK (127 here, 161 previously) had no excuse on account of the track (has a poor record at Cheltenham) so possibly does not take to travelling, held up and finding little.