Oxx eyes step up in class for Alphonsus

Alphonsus (7/4f) showed a ready turn of foot to take Division Two of Dundalk's seven furlong Big Bad Bob Maiden.

John Oxx 's colt travelled well in third for Declan McDonogh as Twin Falls and Stone Mountain led the way with a quarter of a mile to negotiate.

McDonogh gave Alphonsus the office with over a furlong to go and the son of Invincible Spirit picked off the two in front of him. He galloped away inside the final furlong and put two and a half lengths on Roman Impero who stayed on for second at 5/1.

Stone Mountain appeared to shy away from the whip and collide with the running rail outside the furlong marker. He kept on to finish fourth, a place behind Name For The Blame (14/1) who grabbed place money on debut for Tommy Stack.

John Oxx said: "He won well. He ran well here before from a wide draw. He didn't get much cover then and over-raced a bit. He settled today and quickened up well.

"The form of the maiden last time worked out okay so he was entitled to have a favourites chance.

"He's a nice horse. Seven furlongs suits him and I wouldn't be in any rush to stretch him out. He's by Invincible Spirit so there is plenty of speed there.

"He won't run again until the start of the Turf season. There is a nice Listed race here, the Patton Stakes, and maybe we could bring him back as he likes the surface.

"He seems versatile ground-wise and may go on softish turf also.”

Additional reporting by Gary Carson