ALPHA BEATA

Charles Byrnes would have preferred to have run Alfa Beat before the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham next week.

The seven-year-old has not been seen since landing the Kerry National back in September, his fifth successive win.

Byrnes is happy with Alfa Beat's current condition but because of his dislike for soft ground, he will be heading to Cheltenham on the back of a 182-day break.

Despite that, he is still ante-post favourite at 6-1 with most bookmakers.

"He's good and on target," said Byrnes.

"He hasn't run for a long time and I would have liked to have given him a run but he hates soft ground so there's no point running him on it.

"It should be reasonable ground and I'm happy enough with him.

"His form looks good with Dancing Tornado (Kerry National runner-up) running well, but he probably has to step up on that again taking on top novices.

"But if you look at the betting, the bookies give him a shout, anyway."

definite preference for better ground but huge reservations about the trip as he has a proven ability to quicken well at the end of his races which may turn out to be a disadvantage on the stamina front when you consider previous winners of the race. The one (i believe) guaranteed stayer in the race is Quito de la roque (an absolute grinder with a touch of class) but he may not run if the ground comes up too quick