Moscow Flyer win keeps up on Cheltenham course

Moscow Flyer remains unchanged as 11-4 favourite for the Queen Mother Champion Chase with Coral following a comfortable victory at Punchestown today.

But the nine-year-old had to survive a last-fence blunder before going on to record a nine-length win over Copernicus in the Grade Byrne Group plc Tied Cottage Chase over two miles.

After first Fiery Ring and then Copernicus had held the lead Barry Geraghty pushed Jessica Harrington’s charge to the front five fences from home.

Moscow Flyer had a commanding advantage lead by the time he made his only serious error but he was quickly back on an even keel.

Copernicus plugged on for second place with Commanche Court making a pleasing seasonal reappearance a further four lengths back in third.

It was the first run in over nine months for Ted Walsh’s charge who is 12-1 with Coral for the Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup in which he was runner-up to Best Mate last March.

Queen Mother Champion Chase, Coral bet: 11-4 Moscow Flyer, 5-1 Conks, Flagship Uberalles, 7-1 Native Upmanship, Edredon Bleu, 9-1 Seebald, 10-1 Lady Cricket, 14-1 Florida Pearl, 16-1 Fondmort, Young Devereux, Latalomne, 20-1 Armaturk, Dark’N Sharp, Geos, 25-1 Wahiba Sands, 33-1 Kadarann, 40-1 bar.