Moscow heading straight to Cheltenham

Moscow Flyer will head straight to the Cheltenham Festival without another run under his belt.

The 12-year-old dual winner of the Queen Mother Champion Chase has tasted defeat on his last three starts, but is reportedly back on top of his game ahead of the two-mile contest at Prestbury Park.

“He’s coming back to himself now and is in good working form,” said Harrington’s assistant Eamonn Leigh.

“Like all our horses, he’s just not been getting home but he seems to be back in grand order.”

Moscow Flyer warmed up for last year’s Cheltenham Festival success with a straightforward victory in the Byrne Group Plc Tied Cottage Chase at Punchestown.

Connections have bypassed that race this time, however, and will now head straight to the Champion Chase, for which he is a general 3-1 chance.

“They are all going to have a go at him now, but his four wheels are still on the wagon and he’s heading straight for Cheltenham,” added Leigh.

“He’ll probably have a few racecourse gallops but he won’t be going anywhere before Cheltenham.

“He’s easy enough to get fit so we’re skipping Punchestown with him.

“There’s no need to run him before and if the ground is on the lively side, that will help his cause even more at Cheltenham.”