Fakir D'Oudairies has Ryanair and Melling options after Ascot Chase triumph

Joseph O'Brien has raised the prospect of Fakir D'Oudairies locking horns with Allaho once more in next month's Ryanair Chase following the seven-year-old's success on Saturday in the Grade 1 Ascot Chase.

The trainer outlined the Ryanair at the Cheltenham Festival, in which Fakir D'Oudairires was no match for Allaho last year, followed by the Melling Chase at Aintree as the likely path for the JP McManus-owned chaser.

O'Brien said: "Fakir D'Oudairies in good shape. It was a nice race to target and JP was keen to go there after the John Durkan at Punchestown. JP thought it was a race we could target and it was nice to win a Grade 1 with him.

"The logical races for him to be aimed at now are the Ryanair at Cheltenham followed by the Melling Chase at Aintree. We'll see how the horse is in the coming weeks and if he's in good nick, Cheltenham is an option. If we want to wait for Aintree, we can do that also. A decision will be made closer to the time."

Baron Samedi: the Belmont Gold Cup winner will begin his season in Saudi ArabiaCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

More immediately, O'Brien will be targeting riches in Saudi Arabia with Baron Samedi and Thunder Moon, who left on their travels from Owning Hill on Sunday morning. Baron Samedi will run in the Longines Red Sea Handicap while Thunder Moon will line up for the 1351 Turf Sprint this weekend.

O'Brien said: "Baron Samedi was very good last season. He's a very consistent horse. This is his first run of the year and the track will probably be sharp enough for him out there but if he gets a good draw hopefully he can run well and collect some prize-money for his troubles.

"We'll start off here and take it race by race. This was a contest we mapped out, along with his owners [LECH Racing Limited], at the end of last season."

He added: "Thunder Moon was a little bit disappointing on his comeback run at Dundalk but he needed it and he goes into this weekend with an each-way chance in what looks a very good race. He will need a little bit of luck in running but we think the conditions of the race will suit him well."

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