Betfair Ascot Chase: Fakir D'Oudairies favourite with Shishkin second

• Seven declared for the Betfair Ascot Chase

• Fakir D'Oudairies is your 5/4 favourite

• Shishkin and Pic D'Orhy the market challengers

Fakir your favourite

With seven currently declared for Saturday's Betfair Ascot Chase, Joseph O'Brien's Fakir D'Oudairies is the 2.3811/8 favourite to come out on top.

The eight-year-old was mightily impressive when last seen at Thurles, beating French Dynamite by six lengths. Having previously chased Galopin Des Champs home at Punchestown back in December, there's no surprise to see O'Brien's horse in the front running at Ascot.

Next up is Shishkin at 3.02/1, who returned to the track after 262 days when third of six when favourite in the Betfair Tingle Creek at Sandown.

This was his first run since pulling up at the Cheltenham Festival, and the market expects Nicky Henderson's nine-year-old to improve after blowing off a few cobwebs.

D'Orhy the next market Pic

Rounding off the top three in the market is Betfair ambassador Paul Nicholls' Pic D'Orhy, who is currently 3.259/4 to prevail.

Currently on a three race winning streak, after romping home by 16 lengths in the Silviniaco Conti Chase at Kempton last time out, it would be dangerous to rule out further progress for the eight-year-old.

Wind surgery back in October before his winning run seems to have unleashed Nicholls' horse, and with his entry on Saturday, it makes for a very exciting race.

Betfair spokesman, Barry Orr, commented: ''Just the seven declared at the five day stage but the top three have stood their ground and Fakir D'Oudairies is steady at 5/4. The Ryanair looks very open now with confirmation that Allaho is out so Shishkin and Pic D'Orhy will be looking to lay down a marker for the Festival''

Betfair Ascot Chase

5/4 Fakir D'Oudairies

2/1 Shishkin

5/2 Pic D'Orhy

7/1 Millers Bank

14/1 Two For Gold

40/1 Aye Right, Minella Drama