Tommy Lyons: Mouse Morris eyeing more Irish National success with Alpha Des Obeaux

Mouse Morris has a strong connection to the Boylesports Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse, and the two-time winning trainer and one-time winning rider is eyeing the top prize in what is now Ireland’s richest national hunt race, with the favourably weighted Alpha Des Obeaux.

One of the leading staying hurdlers of last season, the gelding’s first season over fences hasn’t gone to plan, with the result that he is potentially well treated off a mark of 147.

But Morris, who is one of the shrewdest ‘target trainers’ in the business, could scupper his own chance of winning the race, should his charge be successful in the RSA Chase at next week’s Cheltenham Festival.