Moscow pleases in Punchestown gallop

Moscow Flyer is on course to defend his title in the Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham next month after pleasing connections in a post-racing gallop at Punchestown today.

The Jessica Harrington-trained gelding was ridden by regular partner Barry Geraghty and went nearly two miles along with stable-companion Well Presented (Andrew Leigh).

?He needed that run and it was as good as a race for him. I?m happy with him and he felt bouncy,? said Geraghty.

?They went a right gallop on that ground (officially heavy) and he?s having a real blow,? said Mrs Harrington.

She added, ?He?ll probably have another away day, maybe at Leopardstown early next month, and will pop a few fences somewhere. The Old Vic all-weather surface is easy on him and he had to do alot more on that ground. You need to go to Cheltenham 100 per cent.?