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O'Brien keeps options open for Fakir D'oudairies

3 minute read

Irish Arkle still in equation after Leopardstown defeat.

All options are open for Fakir D'Oudairies  after his good run at Leopardstown over Christmas.

Trainer : Joseph O'Brien Picture: Pat Healy Photography

Joseph O'Brien will consider the Irish Arkle for the Drinmore Novice Chase winner – but he has not ruled out going back up in trip.

Despite Fakir D'oudairies' Grade One defeat over two miles and a furlong by Notebook, it was a profitable week for O'Brien – who managed eight winners over four days, with plenty of others placed.

FAKIR D'OUDAIRIES  Picture: (Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images)

"We had a lot of winners, and lots of places," he said.

"Pretty much everything ran as expected.

"I was a little bit disappointed that Fakir D'oudairies didn't win, but he didn't lose anything in defeat really."

Considering future plans for the five-year-old, O'Brien added: "He's won over two-and-a-half miles and is versatile enough – we could go up in trip again, but I'd have no problem taking on the winner again anyway.

"We could have a look at the Irish Arkle, but the only thing is that you'd be a little bit worried about the ground.

"He likes a bit of juice maybe. The race at Leopardstown was a bit messy as well."

O'Brien's 2018 Irish Gold Cup winner Edwulf finished third in a hunter chase at Down Royal, and may head to Naas next.

"Edwulf seems grand – he had a rough enough passage in the race but seems fine," he said.

"I think there is a race in Naas for him (on January 26)."