Harrington: Flyer needed the run
Connections of Moscow Flyer were not downcast after the dual Queen Mother Champion Chase hero was surprisingly beaten at Navan,
The 11-year-old was sent off the 4-11 favourite but had to settle for second behind 8-1 chance Central House in the Fortria Chase.
“I’m not disappointed, he needed the run,” trainer Jessica Harrington said. “We’ll now be going for the Tingle Creek (at Sandown on December 3) with every hope of winning.”
Dessie Hughes said of the winner: “He was knocking on the door last year and only had to improve about 7lb to be in contention in these big races this year. Let’s hope he can keep it up.
“We’ll keep him to two miles and probably go to Cork next for the Hilly Way Chase, then Leopardstown at Christmas.”
Asked about the Queen Mother, Hughes added: “That could be a long-term objective.”
Solerina had little trouble in making all therunning to win the Philips Electronics Lismullen Hurdle for the second successive year.
Gary Hutchinson was able to dictate affairs on the 4-6 favourite, who turned on the power in the straight.
Back In Front looked a threat but a mistake at the second-last flight cost him any chance he had of upsetting the Jame Bowe-trained mare.
After skipping over the last, Solerina bounded clear to win by four lengths from Back In Front, with Prince Of Tara third.
It was the 19th win of Solerina’s career and her fifth at Navan, making up for her final flight fall at Tipperary last month and her disqualification by the clerk of the scales when third in the Leopardstown November Handicap last weekend.
Her owner John Bowe said: “I’ve never been as nervous before a race as I was today and never as happy afterwards. I closed my eyes at every hurdle.
“Gary said the enthusiasm is still there and all being well she’ll go for a third win in a row in the Hatton’s Grace at Fairyhouse (December 4).
“She is in the autumn of her career now and we’ll just take things from there.”
Edward O’Grady was delighted with Back In Front’s performance after a long lay-off.
He said: “I was very pleased with that as he had been off for some time. I think he can reverse the form with Solerina in the Hatton’s Grace.”
O’Grady and Barry Geraghty went one better when O’Muircheartaigh put up an impressive display to take the Bank Of Ireland “For Auction” Novice Hurdle.
The 4-5 favourite jumped and travelled supremely well throughout and took it up running to the second-last.
A good leap at the final flight sealed matters and he eased clear on the run to the line for a four-length success over Alpha Royale.
O’Grady said: “I had intended to run him in a maiden hurdle at Clonmel but the meeting was abandoned so I had no option but to come here.
“I was just hoping he would jump OK and he did. I was very pleased he’s come through it well. Hopefully he will go for the Royal Bond Hurdle at Fairyhouse next month.
“The Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham is the ultimate objective but it’s a long way off.”
O’Muircheartaigh remained unchanged at 12-1 co-favourite with Cashmans for that race at the Festival in March.
Geraghty completed an 11-1 double on Romaha (6-1) in the Ladbrokes Handicap Hurdle, although Johnny Murtagh was out of luck on Al Towd, his only ride of the day.
