Alpha male

ALPHA DES OBEAUX registered his first win since joining Gordon Elliott when landing the listed Boomerang Animal Bedding Chase in Thurles yesterday, second leg of a double for his trainer and jockey Davy Russell. Sent off 4/9 favourite to beat just two rivals, the eight-year-old, trained for all previous successes by Mouse Morris, made all and, shaken up by Russell from the second last, repelled the other Gigginstown-owned runner Valseur Lido by a length and a quarter with

Eight Till Late a close third.

“It was a lovely opportunity to get his head back in front,” said Russell.

“Credit to everyone involved with him, particularly Mouse. He jumped well and did it nicely, but the ground is as quick as he’d want it.”

The Elliott/russell double had been initiated when 2/5 shot Mrs Lovett, in the familiar Munir colours, beat just three rivals in the opening mares beginners chase, from which there were three withdrawals. “She jumped well and it’s good to get this out of the way,” added Russell.

Willie Mullins, inset, was also in double form, landing the INH Stallion Owners EBF Rated Hurdle with the Ruby Walsh-ridden Irish Lass, which outpointed fellow 5/2 joint-favourite Ozzie’s Way, and successful in the bumper with even-money favourite Westport Lady, which made all under Patrick to record an emphatic 15 length win in the five-runner bumper.

Elsewhere, Gordon Elliott has decided against having a runner in the Grade 1 Betfair Chase in Haydock tomorrow, having withdrawn Outlander, Don Poli and Shattered Love at yesterday’s final declaration stage.

There will be only five runners in the Betfair, a star-studded line -up comprising Bristol De Mai, Clan Des Obeaux, Might Bite, Native River and Thistlecrack.

But Elliott will run Folsom Blue (Richard Johnson) in the Betfair Stayers Handicap Hurdle on the same card.