Spring-heeled Flyer warms up for Champion Chase

MOSCOW FLYER muddied the waters of the Queen Mother Champion Chase betting further at Punchestown yesterday with a spring-heeled, if slightly workmanlike display in the Byrne Group Plc Tied Cottage Chase.

With Well Chief’s terrific performance at Cheltenham on Saturday having consolidated his position as a serious two-miler, and Azertyuiop to appear shortly at Newbury, much was expected of the 11-year-old, who beat both of them in December’s thrilling renewal of the Tingle Creek Chase.

Sent off the 2-11 favourite, the Jessica Harrington-trained gelding had to make all of the running under Barry Geraghty and was foot-perfect at almost all of his fences on his way to a two and a half length success.