Alpha to take Middle chance
Johnny Alpha will take a massive step up in grade from a maiden to Friday’s Group One Shadwell Stud Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket.
The son of Namid has raced just once so far, when finishing a head second to Don’t Tell Sue over five furlongs at Newbury in April.
Trainer Peter Chapple-Hyam indicated his powerfully-built charge has not enjoyed an entirely smooth passage since then but has been showing up well of late on the Newmarket gallops.
Johnny Alpha did a satisfactory piece of work over six furlongs today in company with a couple of other two-year-olds on the Limekilns.
“At this stage, we plan to run him in the Middle Park as he’s in good form,” Chapple-Hyam told his website, www.peterchapplehyam.com.
“Since his only start he’s had a couple of setbacks, including a low-grade virus. But I’m hopeful that he will give a good account of himself, although it will, of course, be a very tough race.”
