JOSEPH O’Brien is responsible for a formidable team of bumper horses and heads to the Dublin Racing Festival full of confidence, particularly with his team of younger horses. The 26-year-old is responsible for 25 entries over the two days, his most yet, and many will see Fakir D’oudairies as the flagbearer for the Piltown stable.

A classy novice hurdler last season, finishing a very respectable fourth in the Champion Hurdle as a four-year-old before taking the runner-up spot at both Aintree and Punchestown, Fakir D’oudairies was always going to be an exciting recruit to the chasing ranks.