Mouse Morris Morris’ grounds for optimism with Alpha Des Obeaux this spring

Mouse Morris expects Alpha Des Obeaux to raise his game when he encounters better ground in the spring after filling the runner-up spot for the sixth time in eight starts at Leopardstown.

The six-year-old stepped back up to three miles in the Christmas Hurdle and had to make do with minor honours once more as fellow Gigginstown-owned runner Prince Of Scars caused an upset.

Morris said: “He ran well. He was fine until your man (Snow Falcon) fell and after that he just ran very green.