Mouse Morris hopes trip helps Alpha Des Obeaux at Leopardstown

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.

A top-class staying hurdler last season when only the exceptional Thistlecrack had his measure at the Cheltenham Festival, he has made a good start over fences.

Well beaten on his opening foray at Tipperary in October, he stepped up on that three weeks later when winning at Thurles.

He then landed a Grade Three at Cork in good style before running respectably in the Drinmore over two and a half miles at Fairyhouse when third to the impressive Coney Island

"Alpha Des Obeaux will go for the three-mile Grade One (Neville Hotels Novice Chase) at Leopardstown," said Morris.

"The longer trip should hopefully suit him."