Flyer on song for Sunday date

Moscow Flyer is reported to be in fine form ahead of his warm-up run for the Cheltenham Festival at Punchestown on Sunday.

The 11-year-old is likely to start at long odds-on for the Byrne Group plc Tied Cottage Chase, which he took two years ago on the way to winning the Queen Mother Champion Chase.

Trainer Jessica Harrington is taking the same route as Moscow Flyer bids to regain his crown after unseating Barry Geraghty in the two-mile showpiece last March, when the race was won by Azertyuiop.

Moscow Flyer has not run since gaining revenge on Paul Nicholls’ chaser in the Tingle Creek Trophy at Sandown in early December, as he missed his intended engagement at Leopardstown last month.

“He’s over the cold he had over Christmas. He’s in great form and ready to run at Punchestown on Sunday,” said Mrs Harrington.

“He did a breeze-up at the Curragh yesterday and we were very pleased with him.

“This will be his last race before Cheltenham and we’ll just keep him ticking over from now on.”

Seven rivals take on Moscow Flyer, headed by the Michael Hourigan-trained Hi Cloy, who has a win over Kicking King to his credit in the Grade One Powers Gold Cup at Fairyhouse last April.