Tom Mullins is confident there is more to come from Alderwood over fences this spring following his highly-creditable performance at Punchestown on Sunday.

The JP McManus-owned nine-year-old enjoyed a fantastic end to last season, winning the County Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival before claiming further major prizes at the big spring meetings at Fairyhouse and Punchestown.

He has made a fine start to his career over the larger obstacles, with a couple of good runs in defeat followed by a first chasing win at Navan. He raised his game again to finish second on his handicap debut in Sunday's Dan Moore Memorial Chase and now heads the market for the Grand Annual back at Cheltenham.

Mullins said: "I was really pleased with him. I thought he ran a cracker considering it was his first run in a really competitive handicap over fences.

"He's come out of the race in good form and hopefully that run sets him up well for the big Festivals in the spring.

"I haven't had the nod from JP (McManus, owner) or Frank (Berry, racing manager) yet, but you'd imagine that (Grand Annual) would be an obvious target for him.

"He went up 3lb for his run the other day, which leaves him on 138.

"You'd like to think that he'll keep progressing on the better ground in the spring, like he did last year.

"I'm very happy with where we are with him at the moment."

18 June 2013

Stevens is king of the Castle
O'Neill ace proves too sharp
Ballydoyle in command in Coventry
Dawn delivers in thriller
Sole powers to sprint glory
Al Thani snaps up Sandiva
O'Brien sounds War cry
Minute's silence remembers Cecil
Duntle on Cambridge duty
Alive and Just in Ribblesdale mix
Passage heads Gold field
Deegan considers Soprano options
Toro out for Palace glory
Cecil's words not lost on Ponsonby
Dawn out for Palace redemption
Hawkwood supplemented for Hardwicke
Flotilla To Drop Back In Trip
Cecil's Chigun in Cambridge action
Al Kazeem and Camelot clash again
De Kock hoping to make history
War ready for Royal Ascot battle
Kingdom set to reign over Ascot

17 June 2013

Magician set for Palace showdown
Cat clings on for Carroll
Three more winners for Lady Cecil
Monaghan delivers on Midnight
Treve in stunning Diane win
Sapphire target for Trees
Beckett mulls Secret options
Nicholls has broken wrist

16 June 2013

Songbird aiming to fly high
Movie has Newmarket on radar
Fahey juveniles primed for action
Stubbs leads O'Brien Coventry team
Salsify on summer break
Kempton target for Benbulben
Top trio head Palace runners
Shea Shea shoots for Stand glory
Animal heads Queen Anne field
Saint-Cloud aim for Dunaden
Magician to be declared for Palace
Soul all heart in York sprint
Kingsgate rules Musselburgh
Sam too sharp for rivals
Hughes makes it pay with Knight
Balding on mark with double
Morawij in a hurry in Scurry
Bartley is queen for a day
Big guns to clash in Coronation

15 June 2013

Marengo set for battle royal
Saddler's ready to rock - Oxx
Soprano primed to hit right notes
Balding receives OBE
Victory on a plate for Montaser
Magician run in the balance
Secret set to make Ascot stand
Probert return delayed
Nagle covers Maarek options
Ribblesdale chance for Lark
Walker hoping Guns will fire
Estimate in Royal Gold run