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Ground concerns for Alpha Des Obeaux

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ALPHA DES OBEAUX RIDDEN BY BRYAN COOPER

Heavy ground could prove problematic for favourite Alpha Des Obeaux

  PICTURE: Caroline Norris  

 By Mark Scully 9:20AM 21 JAN 2016 

MOUSE MORRIS admits he has concerns about the testing going at Gowran Park as he prepares to saddle today’s Grade 2 Galmoy Hurdle favourite Alpha Des Obeaux.

The six-year-old, generally the 6-4 favourite, has claimed runner-up honours at each of his last two starts, finding only Arctic Fire too good in November’s Grade 1 Hatton’s Grace Hurdle and chasing home Prince Of Scars in the Grade 1 Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown last month.

Alpha Des Obeaux had today’s second favourite Martello Tower in behind him at his most recent start but his trainer is worried about his charge’s ability to show his best form on ground described as Heavy.

“He’s in good form but the heavy ground is a concern,” said Morris.

“He takes his chance as he needs another run before Cheltenham.”

Tower has improved

Martello Tower, meanwhile, lines up for his second start of the campaign, having claimed the Grade 1 Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival last March.

Trainer Mags Mullins believes the eight-year-old has improved for his Leopardstown outing and said: “I was very pleased with him last time.

“He needed it and I think he’s com on since. I’m hopeful he’ll have improved enough.”

Curtis issues warning

Martello Tower is one of three Cheltenham Festival winners set to line up this afternoon, with Rebecca Curtis represented by her 2013 Albert Bartlett winner At Fishers Cross.

Today’s race will be the nine-year-old’s first start since last year’s World Hurdle and Curtis sounded a note of caution for punters tempted by the 6-1 generally on offer.

“I never expect too much from him first time out,” she said.

“He’s one of those horses who needs a run, mentally as much as anything. He’s fragile, so fingers crossed we can keep him sound.”

Briar Hill returns

Another 2013 Festival winner, Briar Hill, will also line up for his first start of the campaign and trainer Willie Mullins is optimistic of a return to the sort of level that saw the eight-year-old claim the Champion Bumper almost three years ago.

“We’re hoping we can get him back to where he was,” Mullins said.

“He’s ready to start back and this race at his home track looked a good opportunity.

“We’re hoping for a good run and that he’ll go forward from it.”

Make sure you pick up today’s Racing Post for everything you need ahead of a fantastic day of racing at Gowran Park, including Pricewise’s picks for the feature Thyestes Chase.

 

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