Alderburn primed to click for in-form Daly

ALDERBURN (trained by Henry Daly): Nothing struck a blow at all-the-way winner According To Pete in Haydock’s Betfair Fixed Brush Handicap Hurdle, but Alderburn ran a blinder to collect valuable prize money in third.

Better known as a steeplechaser, Alderburn can be expected to find a race or two when switched back to the bigger obstacles, particularly with his stable in such good form.

ALFIE FLITS (Alan Swinbank): This high-class Flat performer has taken time to adjust to the demands of hurdling, but was thoroughly convincing in disposing of the useful Font at Haydock on Saturday.

I suspect the return to a sound surface made a big difference to Alfie Flits, who can continue to progress now that his hurdling technique seems to have been sorted.

Aintree’s Grand National meeting is the logical target as the six-year-old appeared to dislike Cheltenham on his recent visit.

ENLIGHTENMENT (Evan Williams): Ran much too freely in a first-time visor at Ascot on Saturday, but showed enough when third to the well-handicapped Jack The Giant to suggest he can find a race soon.

A drop in class and a sharper track such as Ludlow or Hereford could be the answer.

PEARLY STEPS (Henry Daly): Ascot bumpers tend to be hot affairs so it was most encouraging to see this son of Alflora bely his starting price of 25-1 by finishing second to Paul Nicholls’ Irish point to point winner Red Harbour.

From the same family as Two-Mile Champion Chase winner Pearlyman, Pearly Steps will surely be capable of winning a similar contest in the near future as he comes from a stable whose horses usually progress significantly for their first run.

An embryonic chaser, Pearly Steps is likely to go hurdling after Christmas.

MON MOME (Venetia Williams): Travelled like a dream in the three-mile handicap chase at Haydock on Saturday, but did not possess the finishing kick of Possol and went down by a neck.

The trip would have been a bare minimum for this thorough stayer and, as he has slipped to a lenient handicap mark, a crack at a decent prize - perhaps the Coral Welsh National at Chepstow over Christmas - looks on the cards.