Alpha Des Obeaux and Bryan Cooper clear away from Martello Tower © Photo Healy Racing
From the day Alpha Des Obeaux (first-time cheek-pieces, wore a hood once before) took his point-to-point at Tinahely in March 2014 for Gordon Elliott, people have been touting the French-bred as a top-notcher of the future. Now with Mouse Morris the big day finally arrived for the Gigginstown House Stud runner as the three time Grade 1 2nd-placer impressively took the Grade 2 John Mulhern Galmoy Hurdle at Gowran.
Second favourite Martello Tower made a bad mistake at the fourth last, but there was simply no living with the Bryan Cooper ridden Alpha Des Obeaux from two out, as he left his four rivals floundering in this wake. At Fishers Cross ran encouragingly after seeming to come to the end of his tether before the third last. He ended up eleven lengths off Alpha Des Obeaux in second place, with Martello Tower a length and three parts back in third.
"What I liked today is that he took me everywhere I wanted. He winged his hurdles too on ground that wouldn't have been ideal for him," said Cooper.
"I took plenty of positives and from the last home he found plenty as well which is what you'd like.
"He made quite a bad mistake at the third last — he landed out on his head a bit — but he was quickly back on the bridle.
"When you look at his form last year he was upsides Thistlecrack when he fell at Aintree and he's favourite (for the World Hurdle). Our horse is going in under the radar — he's won a grand Grade 2 here — if he could be placed or win a World Hurdle it would be great. Next year is what we're dreaming about though, as he's a real chaser in the making."
"In fairness to him he has been beaten by good horses before and I'm very happy," commented Morris.
"I'll discuss things with Gigginstown and while he hasn't a whole lot of racing done, I imagine he'll go straight to Cheltenham now."
Paddy Power are 10/1 from 14s about Alpha Des Obeaux for the World Hurdle.
(TW & EM)
Regarding ground preference, Morris added "he showed at Liverpool (last April) that he is much better on good ground."
