News 
/ Timeform / 09 April 2012 / Leave a Comment 
Alfa Beat fell in last year's Topham Chase over the National fences
"Hanlon still believes Alfa Beat can produce a bold showing, pointing to the fact that the yard has been out of form for a large part of the season as a reason for his low-key efforts."
Trainer Shark Hanlon has issued an upbeat bulletin regards his Grand National runner Alfa Beat, suggesting that punters who overlook the horse do so at their peril...
Alfa Beat, who is rated 150 over fences by Timeform, has twice landed September's Kerry National at Listowel, has only been seen twice since winning the most recent renewal, unseating at Leopardstown in January and pulling up at Fairyhouse in Februay.,
However, despite not going into Saturday's race with a positive performance behind him, Hanlon still believes Alfa Beat can produce a bold showing, pointing to the fact that the yard has been out of form for a large part of the season as a reason for his low-key efforts.
With the stable having sent out a point winner in the last few days, the trainer is now more bullish and has even booked top rider Davy Russell (four completions from 10 rides), whose closest National placing came aboard seventh Joes Edge in 2006, for the eight-year-old grey. Russell won a handicap at Galway on the horse in August 2010.
The trainer went on to state how good grounds suits the [90.0]-shot.
In other Grand National news, previous race winner Robbie Power has been booked to partner Stuart Crawford's Killyglen, a faller at the final ditch last year.
Thomas Gibney's Lion Na Bearnai showed thorough stamina reserves to deny the Edward o'Grady-trained Out Now in the Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse......
Get Me Out Of Here finally landed the decent prize his consistent efforts have deserved when winning the Grade Two Keelings Irish Strawberry Hurdle at Fairyhouse......
Akeed Mofeed, well backed in recent days for the Qipco 2000 Guineas at Newmarket, will miss the race through injury....
