Moscow Flying Ahead Of Big Showdown

Moscow Flyer was today given a glowing report by trainer Jessica Harrington ahead of his bid to reclaim his crown in the Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham tomorrow. Unbeaten in 17 completed starts over fences, the 11-year-old unshipped Barry Geraghty in the race 12 months ago having powered home by seven lengths the previous year.

'There will be a day when he is beaten, and it could come tomorrow, but he is in very good form and we are very happy with his progress since Christmas, when I couldn´t run him after he scoped a bit dirty,' the trainer told Racing UK.

Moscow Flyer warmed up for tomorrow´s #250,000 feature with an easy win at Punchestown in January, having seen off his two main rivals Azertyuiop and Well Chief in the Tingle Creek at Sandown the previous month.

'Everything has gone very smoothly, and I have been down to the stabling area to look at him and he seems in very good order,' added Mrs Harrington.

'He is a smashing horse on his day and has won twice at Cheltenham, so we know he acts on the course.

'Barry says that he is better going left-handed and there will be no problem with his stamina either.' Geraghty is also in a bullish mood about Moscow Flyer, describing him as his mount of the week.

'He seems well and we are all happy with him, so it is going to be a very good race,' he said. 'If I can get him jumping early and things go well, he is the one to beat.

'It is going to be serious with Azertyuiop and Well Chief in there and hopefully the best man will come out on top.'

Oneway may be one of the underdogs in the two-mile championship, but his trainer Mark Rimell is hoping that he can bridge the gap with the big three and play a hand in the finish.

After notching up five wins in lesser company, the eight-year-old will havehis first start at the highest level tomorrow.

'I am under no illusions that tomorrow´s race is a step up for him and he has got an awful lot to find with the big three, but if I didn´t think he was capable of it, he wouldn´t be running,' said Rimell.

'I couldn´t be happier with him and he has been 100 per cent throughout his preparation. He is as well now as he has been for all of his five wins this season.

'I decided after his last run at Sandown that the odds were that I would go for the Champion Chase rather than the handicap (Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Chase Challenge Cup) and I have been touching wood through his preparation - which has all gone to plan.

'Jumping would normally be one of his assets, but he has never been to Cheltenham and that will be a new hill for him to climb. Having said that, he handled Sandown so he should handle Cheltenham.

'I don´t know how much is left in the locker, but I do feel that there is more to come from the horse, how much though, we just don´t know - we´ll find out tomorrow.'

(c) PA Sport