RACING/Weekend reports: The only cloud over Moscow Flyer's winning return in yesterday's Ballymore Fortria Chase at Navan was the nagging statistical quirk which suggests that disaster might be only a race away.
For the four seasons of Moscow Flyer's chasing career he has famously never been beaten when standing up. Less well known is that he picks every fourth race to part company with his jockey Barry Geraghty.
Considering that his next start will the fourth since that bubble-bursting exit in the Champion Chase, and that it is due to coincide with a third clash with his great English rival Azertyuiop in next month's Tingle Creek, there were some wags suggesting a quick pre-Sandown outing to trainer Jessica Harrington.
But she was having none of it! "We've got to take on Azertyuiop somewhere so we might as well. I'm happy with him and he seems as good as ever. He jumped really well and idled away in the lead. When Barry wanted him to, he winged the last two," she said.
Moscow Flyer's only market rival, Rathgar Beau, was just behind the odds-on favourite, but looked to be held, when clouting the last and firing Shay Barry into the air. There was general bookmaker agreement that Azertuiop retains an edge in the Champion Chase betting and is rated a 6 to 4 favourite for Cheltenham with Moscow Flyer on 5 to 2.
The day's other odds-on hotpot, Solerina, also won out in the Phillips Lismullen Hurdle despite not being in love with the ground. "She would like it looser, she jumped right and she had a week off after her run at the Curragh so we hoped she was fit enough," said her owner John Bowe.
It was a 15th career victory for the remarkable mare who will try to repeat last year's Grade One triumph in Fairyhouse's Hatton's Grace Hurdle at the end of the month. "It will be some race with Brave Inca and Hardy Eustace, but Fairyhouse suits her going right-handed," Bowe added.
Wild Passion was beaten by Royal Paradise at Roscommon on his first start of the season but the latter missed the BOI For Aucton Hurdle with a nasal discharge and Noel Meade's horse took full advantage to beat Justified by a length and a half. The Royal Bond Hurdle may be next for the winner.
However it was Watson Lake's winning debut over fences in the Beginners Chase that appeared to really thrill Meade and jockey Paul Carberry. The strapping six-year-old made all, and jumped spectacularly in the closing stages, to beat Fota Island by a six sauntering lengths and earn quotes of as low as 10 to 1 for the Arkle Trophy at Cheltenham.
"I've lost half a stone watching that!" grinned Meade. "We've never schooled a horse with such scope. He could jump the parade ring. If we can only get him to relax in behind you would see some horse. We'll maybe stay at two miles for the moment but if he is to be an Arkle horse he has to get more experience."
That could mean another run before the Durkan Novice Chase (formerly the Denny) at Leopardstown over Christmas.
Meade completed a treble when Freddie Fox pipped the gambled on Tomorrow's Dream in the final strides of the bumper after the latter was clear for most of the straight.
The former jumps jockey Norman Williamson yesterday presented a cheque for €35,000 to the Jockeys Accident Fund. He gave a similarly sized cheque to the injured jockeys fund in Britain from the proceeds of a testimonial dinner.
