Aintree agenda for Alfie

Swinbank keen to swerve Cheltenham

Last updated: 19th January 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

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Alfie Flits Haydock

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Alfie Flits is likely to bypass the Cheltenham Festival despite his impressive victory at Haydock on Saturday.

Alan Swinbank's dual-purpose gelding landed the Grade Two Blue Square Novices Hurdle by four lengths under Brian Hughes but connections are keen to stick to flat tracks with the seven-year-old.

"It wasn't a surprise by any means as at Ascot the time before it was just a sprint to the second-last and the race wasn't run to suit," said Melsonby-based Swinbank.

"He enjoyed being up front at Haydock and, on a flatter track, he is a different horse altogether.

"It was a good field but our horse has a bit of class and has good form on the Flat.

"He could go to Kelso next for a good race at the start of March, with hopefully something decent in between.

"He'll definitely go to Aintree, all being well, and then we'll have a look at the Scottish Champion Hurdle up at Ayr.

"Cheltenham is not the be all and end all so we'll let all the posh people go there!"