Alfie not for catching in finale

All About Alfie produced a game front-running performance to land the concluding mile-and-a-half handicap at Gowran Park this afternoon.

Seamie Heffernan bounced out in front from the start and found a willing partner as he had to knuckle down in the closing stages. South South West came through to press Tom Foley's charge in the straight but couldn't find a way past as the Antonius Pius gelding stuck his head out for a two-length success.

The pair pulled 19-lengths clear of the third-placed Lethal Weapon

The 7/2 winner was recording his third success on the Flat, the most recent of which had been on the all-weather at Dundalk last October.

“He doesn't mind that ground. We went to Dundalk (last month) as there was nowhere else to run but it's a bit fast for him.

“When he won there he came back quite jarred. He'll keep running as long as it's not jarring ground.

“Hopefully the handicapper is not too hard on him.”

Neophilia was sent off the 9/4 favourite as Jim Bolger and Kevin Manning sought a fifth winner on the day but could only finish a well-beaten fifth.

(Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes)