The great showdown

TODAY’S Tingle Creek Chase encounter at Sandown between Azertyuiop and Moscow Flyer is being touted by the racing world as one of the sport’s great showdowns, and few can possibly doubt that the prospect of these two Champion Chase winners clashing once more could go down in the annals of the sport as a genuine ‘never-to-be-forgotten’ moment.

Azertyuiop's jockey Ruby Walsh certainly thinks so and, having been touched off in last year's renewal by the Irish challenger, feels both he and his mount have something to prove at the Esher venue today.

"Azertyuiop had not had the benefit of a prep. race before the Tingle Creek last year and I think his four length defeat by Moscow Flyer reflected the fact, but he's had a run in the Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter a couple of weeks ago and I've no doubt he'll come on a lot from that."