‘Alpha Des Obeaux will go where Thistlecrack doesn’t’
The Mouse Morris-trained Alpha Des Obeaux ran a tremendous race to fill the runner-up spot in the World Hurdle on Thursday, but was ultimately no match for the hugely impressive Thistlecrack.
Morris said: “Alpha Des Obeaux is fine after his run at Cheltenham.
“He ran a cracker, but wherever he goes next will be where Thistlecrack doesn’t go!”
Should Alpha Des Obeaux head to Aintree next month, he is likely to be joined on the trip to Merseyside by stable companion Rule The World.
The nine-year-old has filled the runner-up spot seven times from 13 chase starts, but is still winless over larger obstacles.
“I’m leaning towards the Aintree Grand National with Rule The World at the moment,” said Morris.
“Nothing has been decided yet, but that’s the way I’m thinking at the moment.”
Meanwhile Tom Scudamore is unsure how long he will be out of action following a heavy fall at Uttoxeter on Saturday.
The leading jockey rode two winners at the Cheltenham Festival, most notably steering Thistlecrack to a deeply impressive victory in the Ryanair World Hurdle on Thursday.
He was also on the scoresheet on Midlands Grand National day aboard Justatenner, but came to grief when riding Abracadabra Sivola in the following race.
And while his injuries are not serious, Scudamore did not take up his three booked mounts at Ffos Las on Sunday.
Scudamore said: “I’m just a bit battered and bruised, but I’m not sure how long I’ll be out for.
“I’ll probably have another scan early in the week and we’ll see how I feel in the next few days.
“Hopefully it won’t be too long.”
Azzuri will head to the Crabbie’s Grand National meeting at Aintree next month.
Trainer Dan Skelton is looking towards running the four-year-old in the Anniversary 4-Y-O Juvenile Hurdle on April 7, having opted to skip the JCB Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival on Friday.
Azzuri found only Zubayr too good in his attempt to make all of the running in the Grade Two Adonis Hurdle at Kempton last month.
Skelton said: “Azzuri is going to go to Aintree for the Grade One juvenile hurdle.
“We were not intimidated by the opposition at Cheltenham, he just a hard race at Kempton and he put it all on the line - this gives him a little bit longer to get over it.
“Jumping his is asset and I just feel that a few will have had a hard race at Cheltenham then head to Aintree with the gloss taken off them.”
