Moscow Flyer wins at Aintree

Moscow Flyer got his season back on an even keel with victory in the Martell Cognac Melling Chase at Aintree today.

Barry Geraghty sent him past long-time leader Isio after jumping the penultimate fence and he stretched clear in good style to make amends for his mishap in the Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham.

Native Upmanship was a distant third, at 5-1.

Moscow Flyer has won all his completed starts over fences and was taking his chasing record to 14 wins from 18 starts.

His owner Brian Kearney said: “He’s a fantastic horse but he does give us a fright every so often and we have to live with that. But he’s just magic really.

“That’s as good a performance as he’s given in any of his races.

“He’s the first horse I’ve ever owned and the dream just goes on and on."

Jockey Barry Geraghty said: "I had a bad result with him at Cheltenham (when unseated), but you get over it.

“With him it’s the same wherever you run – Fakenham, Ballinrobe, anywhere. There’s a fence in front and a race to be run, so you just have to try and keep it simple.”

Isio's trainer Nicky Henderson commented: "In truth he really needs a good gallop. Mick had to go on, although we have ended up setting things up for the winner.

“He has never stopped improving all year and is the nicest character you could wish to meet.

“I suppose the obvious race for him next season is the new championship chase at Cheltenham.”