Alpha Des Obeaux© Photo Healy Racing
Alpha Des Obeaux is unlikely to be prepared for a trip to the Cheltenham Festival after chasing home the exciting Douvan at Punchestown on Saturday.
The five-year-old bolted up on his second start over hurdles at Punchestown in November before he found the Willie Mullins-trained Black Hercules too strong over three miles at Cork.
He then came back to two miles in the Moscow Flyer Novice Hurdle and again performed admirably to finish second, with Mullins' Supreme Novices' Hurdle favourite Douvan cementing his Festival claims in some style.
Trainer Mouse Morris was delighted with Alpha Des Obeaux, but sees him as a long-term project.
He said: "I was happy with his run at Punchestown and the winner looks a good horse.
"I was very pleased with the way he ran all the way to the line after being headed.
"He wants further and is really a horse for next year over fences.
"My initial feeling is that he's not a horse for Cheltenham this year, and you are usually best to go with your gut reaction."
