Alpha Des Obeaux is set to return to three miles in the Squared Financial Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown.
Alpha Des Obeaux is set to return to three miles in the Squared Financial Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown.
The Mouse Morris-trained five-year-old mixed it with the best novice hurdlers around last season, filling the runner-up spot behind a trio of Willie Mullins' big guns in Black Hercules, Douvan and Nichols Canyon, as well as falling at the final flight when in contention at Aintree.
He found only the Mullins-trained Champion Hurdle runner-up Arctic Fire too strong in the Hatton's Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse last month and is now bound for Leopardstown on December 28.
"Alpha Des Obeaux ran well in the Hatton's Grace and will stay over hurdles this season. He will go for the Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown and is crying out for three miles," said Morris.
The Fethard-based trainer also provided an update on First Lieutenant, who ran so well to finish third in the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury.
The 10-year-old has the Paddy Power Chase as an option over the Festive period and Morris already has one eye on a second tilt at the Grand National in the spring.
He said: " I was delighted with First Lieutenant's run in the Hennessy and he's come out of the race well. As he gets older he seems to be handling soft ground better.
"I don't know where he will go next but looking ahead he'll get an entry in the Grand National again.
"He's off a rating of 147 at the moment and we could look at one of the National trials."