Alpha looking to break duck

ALPHA RIDGE will bid to break his duck over fences in the Grade Two Woodlands Park 100 Club Novice Chase at Naas tomorrow, weather permitting.

The eight-year-old was beaten just a neck by China Rock on his fencing introduction at Galway before chasing home Pandorama in the Drinmore at Fairyhouse.

He failed to land a blow in the Knight Frank Novice Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas but trainer Paul Nolan is hopeful he can bounce back.

“We were disappointed with him the last day as his jumping just fell to pieces, but he seems in good form at the moment,” said Nolan. “The lads at Naas are pretty hopeful racing will go ahead on Saturday and all being well, Alpha Ridge will go there for the good novice chase.

“Hopefully he can get a win as he deserves it, but we’re not going to go for a beginners’ chase at this stage of the season.”

Nolan’s classy hurdler Noble Prince is set to drop to the minimum trip for the Red Mills Trial Hurdle at Gowran Park next month. The son of Montjeu barely came off the bridle when winning a conditions hurdle at Naas on his first outing of the campaign before being placed twice in Graded company. “We’re happy with him and the plan is to go for the Red Mills at Gowran Park with him next,” said Nolan.

Arthur Moore is expecting a bold display from Mansony in the Normans Grove Chase at Fairyhouse on Sunday. The 11-year-old landed this Grade Two contest last winter and Moore reports Mansony to be cherry ripe for a repeat bid. “He’s in good form and probably needed his run at Leopardstown,” said the Naas handler. “It was more or less his first real run of the season. We are hopeful of a good run from him on Sunday.”