Alpha does enough to land short odds in Silver Flash Stakes Sent off 1/6f, the Aidan O'Brien trained Alpha just did enough when justifying those odds in the Saudi Cup Silver Flash Stakes (Group 3) (Fillies) at Leopardstown. Having missed the break slightly, the Flaxman Stables Ireland Ltd, Mrs John Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith owned filly was soon settled in mid division as stablemate Nevermindtherain blazed a trail. Pushed along entering the straight, the market leader had to work to get to the front and then did well to hold the late run of Dancing Destiny by a head. Paddy Power went 10/1 (from 7/1f) Alpha for 1000 Guineas and 10/1f (from 6/1f) for Oaks. Aidan O'Brien said: "She won obviously. It was a bit messy at the start. She was a little bit slow away. Ryan said he just gave her a little root to wake up and then she came on the bridle and was doing a little bit too much. And then Wayne got away and it was just a mess really. Anyway, she won and it was grand. She got a little bit tired as well. "We are training her as the races are work rather than races if you know what I mean. If they are not really wound up and it goes wrong at the start it can be difficult. I thought she did well to win. She will be fine. I look forward to her the next day. The plan will be to go for the Debutante at the Curragh."
