Alpha can get chase career off to a flyer at Tipperary

Alpha Des Obeaux has already been talked about as an RSA Chase prospect at the Cheltenham Festival next March and the Mouse Morris-trained six-year-old makes his eagerly anticipated debut over fences in the Grade 3 Like A Butterfly Novice Chase (5.00) at Tipperary.

Not many horses win their point-to-point by 20 lengths, but Alpha Des Obeaux did just that at Tinahely in March 2014 when in the care of Gordon Elliott.

Since that highly promising debut, Alpha Des Obeaux has been kept over hurdles and he recorded a Grade 2 success in that sphere in January at Gowran Park before finding only superstar stayer Thistlecrack too good in the World Hurdle at Cheltenham.