Alfa lands nice pot on handicap debut

Alfa Mix landed a nice pot in good style on his handicap debut when taking the Tara Handicap Hurdle at Navan.

Gavin Cromwell 's charge went to post an 8/1 shot for the €50,000 prize over two-and-a-half miles and travelled well to challenge at the second last.

Jonathan Moore drove his mount into the lead on the run-in to secure victory and he had a length-and-three-quarter to spare at the line over the staying on Top Moon

The winner had won his maiden hurdle in Tramore back in mid-October before a promising run when fifth behind the progressive Anything Will Do at Punchestown last month.

Cromwell said: “I thought he’d run a nice race and maybe finish fourth o  fifth but it was a big ask for a four-year-old in his first handicap. He’d a lovely weight on his back and jumped well.

“He’s a raw horse and is improving all the time. I think he can keep improving. He was a little bit keen early and we were handier than planned but it worked out.

“I doubt if he will run at Christmas. He’s a big raw horse and I’ll look after him.”

(Quotes by Alan Magee)