Bookies alive to Alaivan

ALAIVAN is a best-priced 8/1 favourite for the JCB Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham in the wake of his impressive hurdle debut victory at Gowran Park yesterday.

The first leg of a sparkling 51/1 treble for Andrew McNamara, the Edward O’Grady-trained Kalanisi gelding was sent off a red-hot 1/3 favourite for the Fancy A Festive Flutter 3-Y-0 Hurdle and, always close to the pace, strode clear in the closing stages to slam Leblon by fifteen lengths, despite looking around a bit on the approach to the final flight.

A listed winner on the flat when trained by John Oxx, Alaivan has clearly taken well to his new role, as trainer O’Grady explained: “He had done plenty of schooling at home, which went well, but you never know until they come to the track. I’m very pleased with that performance.