O’Brien lining up strong Aintree challenge

Fakir D’oudairies, Banbridge and Home By The Lee are all set to represent Joseph O’Brien at next week’s Grand National meeting at Aintree.

The JP McManus-owned Fakir D’oudairies will head to Merseyside fresh for his bid for a third successive victory in the Grade One Marsh Chase, having sidestepped last month’s Cheltenham Festival.

His stablemate Banbridge also missed the showpiece meeting in the Cotswolds after O’Brien took him out of the Turners’ Novices’ Chase due to the rain-softened ground at Prestbury Park.

That freshness could prove key as both are readied for another trip across the Irish Sea.

“Fakir has been good in Aintree the last few years. It looks like it will be a very good race this year, as you’d expect, but he’ll go there with a live chance again,” said O’Brien.

“We’ve learned that Banbridge is at his best on a sounder surface and it was very testing on the day at Cheltenham.

“We also have him entered at Fairyhouse, but I think Aintree is more likely to get better ground.”

Home By The Lee was in action at Cheltenham, lining up with strong claims in the Stayers’ Hurdle after previous wins this season at Navan and Leopardstown.

The eight-year-old passed the post in fifth after a jumping error cost him vital ground and momentum and he could renew rivalries with a few of those who finished ahead of him in the Grade One Liverpool Hurdle on Grand National day.

O’Brien added: “Home By The Lee made a very bad mistake in Cheltenham and was probably lucky not to fall or pull a muscle, but he’s fine after the race and he potentially will go to Aintree.”