Melling Chase winner Fakir D'Oudairies out for more Graded glory at Clonmel

Ryanair Chase runner-up Fakir D'Oudairies heads a field of four for the Clonmel Oil Chase (2.25) on Thursday.

The Joseph O’Brien-trained six-year-old, who landed the Grade 1 Melling Chase at Aintree, has not been seen since finishing third to Clan Des Obeaux in the Punchestown Gold Cup back in April and bids to give O’Brien a first win in the Grade 2 run over 2m4½f.

Willie Mullins has taken the race for six of the last eight years and he is responsible for half of the field for at the final declaration stage.

Galway Plate winner Royal Rendezvous bids to complete a four-timer in a rematch of the Champion Chase at Gowran Park last month where Mullins’s progressive nine-year-old edged out the Gordon Elliott-trained Hardline by half a length.

The Gigginstown-owned Cullentra representative was ridden byJack Kennedy that day, but Davy Russell takes the ride with Kennedy on the sidelines. Easy Game also ran in that Down Royal race, unseating Brian Hayes at the third-last fence when holding every chance.

Fakir D'Oudairies's owner JP McManus and jockey Mark Walsh will also partner up with 2019 Gold Cup second Anibale Fly, who is set to carry top weight in the 2m4f handicap hurdle (1.20).

Rated 11lb superior of his nearest rival, it will be interesting to see how the Tony Martin-trained veteran fares on his seasonal reappearance at the age of 11.

Elsewhere on the card Kim Muir winner Mount Ida is entered for the Listed Mares’ Chase (1.55) with Russell again coming in for the ride for the injured Kennedy. Danse Idol, formerly trained by Dan Skelton and Paul Nicholls, is an intriguing entry for Sam Curling.

Entries for the weekend action at Punchestown were also published on Tuesday with Bob Olinger, winner of the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham in March, among 23 possibles for a 2m3½f beginners' chase (12.00) on Saturday.

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