McNamara hoping pace suits Severus Andrew McNamara has pointed to a lack of experience in fast-run races as a potential stumbling block for Fred Winter Juvenile Novices' Handicap Hurdle favourite Alexander Severus. A seemingly unlucky third-place finish at Leopardstown last month had bookmakers running for cover as he was immediately installed as favourite for the two-mile test. Edward O'Grady's representative was beaten by a whisker on his handicap debut, having previously narrowly scored at the Dublin track in January. He is just 4-1 with Ladbrokes and totesport to make amends for his recent outing. His rider said: "He is by Montjeu and they can get a bit wound-up but he is in good order and has travelled over well. "The faster pace is one worry for him as he has only been seen in slow-run races so far. "I don't know if he will get up the hill but we will find out tomorrow." McNamara's mount is rated 20lb higher in England than Ireland. Commentating on the difference, the jockey said: "If you look at the other Irish horses he isn't that badly off. "Four-year-olds are not rated the same in England as Ireland and he is a tiny bit worse off with the Irish horses, but not a lot."
