One-time Stayers’ Hurdle runner-up returns to winning ways

Alpha Des Obeaux and Top Notch feature among eight entries for the 188bet.co.uk Many Clouds Chase at Aintree on Saturday.

Alpha Des Obeaux returned to form with a clear-cut win in the Clonmel Oil Chase for Mouse Morris.

Whatever the collective noun is for National Hunt trainers, a pride is a perfect fit, like nomadic lions competing to claim certain territory, and, truer than for racehorses, a good big ’un will indeed beat a good little ‘un.

Mouse Morris is hoping the extra distance of next week's Neville Hotels Novice Chase at Leopardstown will eke out a bit more improvement from Alpha Des Obeaux.