D'OUD & OUT

Fancied Fakir skips Lingfield to cut down on travelling

-  DAVID YATES

FAKIR D'OUDAIRIES, Paddy Power's 9-4 favourite for the inaugural Fleur De Lys Chase at Lingfield Park on Sunday, will miss the race.

Last season's runaway Melling Chase hero was one of the star names on the cast list for the final day of the three-day Winter Million fixture, which begins tomorrow.

But after talks with the seven-yearold's owner JP McManus, trainer Joseph O'Brien has elected to bypass Sunday's £150,000 £ feature and stay in Ireland for the Horse & Jockey Hotel Chase at Thurles the same day.