Get off to a festival Flyer with Moscow
The brilliant Moscow Flyer has to be the choice to win the featured BMW ’Chase. Jessica Harrington’s nine-year-old was hugely impressive in landing the two mile Champion ’Chase at Cheltenham and only if he hits the deck or performs well below par can one envisage him meeting defeat.
Moscow Flyer took the Champion ’Chase by seven lengths from Native Upmanship, after being left clear two out when both Latalomne and Seebald hit the deck.
Latalomne, who was travelling strongly at the time, reopposes and, apparently, his trainer, Brian Ellison, is full of hope.Ellison recently described Moscow Flyer as a "bridle” horse, but there is no evidence whatsoever to back that up and Barry Geraghty’s mount to record another decisive success is the prediction.
Back In Front produced one of the great Cheltenham performances, totally outclassing his rivals in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, and is hard to oppose in the Evening Herald Champion Novice Hurdle.
Considering he had less than a perfect preparation, Back In Front’s Prestbury Park display was staggering, as he trounced compatriot, Kicking King, to the tune of ten lengths.The likes of Fota Island, Central House and Swordplay are decent sorts in their own right, but if Back In Front strips fit and well then there surely can only be one result!
Barry Geraghty, who partners Moscow Flyer, could be for a lucrative day and he and Barrow Drive are fancied to provide the answer to the Ellier Developments Novice ’Chase.
Barrow Drive ran a cracker at Cheltenham, filling third spot behind One Night and Jair Du Cochet in the SunAlliance Novices ’Chase.The worry about him is that he has been on the go since last summer, but Tony Mullins’ charge still seems a safer proposition than Eskimo Jack or Joly Bey.
Moscow Flyer, Back In Front and Barrow Drive are all likely to be offered at tight odds by the layers, so a sporting nap falls on Greywell in the 26-runner Murphy International Ltd Handicap Hurdle.He will also be partnered by Geraghty, was narrowely beaten by in-form Healy’s Pub on this track last month and is likely, hopefully, to come late and fast.
Paul Carberry, on the sidelines since being injured in a fall at Fairyhouse last Tuesday, will miss the opening two days of the Punchestown Festival.
The Irish champion suffered a badly bruised thigh in a fall from the Noel Meade-trained Blue in the Powers Gold Label Handicap Hurdle.
