Flyer Beaten In Leopardstown Drama

Jessica Harrington´s gloomy winter stretched into the Festive period as Moscow Flyer suffered his third defeat in as many starts in a dramatic Paddy Power Dial-A-Bet Chase at Leopardstown.

Her dual Queen Mother Champion Chase winner only managed to take fourth in a race he has won twice before, and in doing so continued a bad run for Mrs Harrington that has seen her go 59 days without a winner.

However, she still hopes her stable star can regain his old sparkle.

'He wasn´t jumping or travelling like he normally does,' she said.

'We thought he was coming back to himself but that wasn´t him and we just hope he can come back now.

'He wasn´t beaten that far and was having a fair old blow.'

Moscow Flyer´s defeat was only part of a bizarre set of events that saw Roger Loughran on Central House mistake the winning post and stand up in the irons when seemingly poised for success.

Loughran was clear on Dessie Hughes´ charge when making the faux paux that allowed Michael Hourigan´s Hi Cloy (8-1) to stay on and beat Fota Island by three-quarters of a length.

Central House set out to make all but had Moscow Flyer in close attendance, with the pair separated by just half a length over the third-last.

However, Barry Geraghty´s mount did not quicken on the run to two out and the 11-year-old could only beat one home.

Central House, meanwhile, jumped the final two fences clear and it was halfway up the run-in that Loughran thought he had passed the winning post.

He was still celebrating as Hi Cloy came through from the back of the field under Andrew McNamara to grab the spoils.

Loughran, who has recently turned professional, was handed a 14-day ban by the stewards, but a philosophical Hughes took defeat on the chin.

'He´d given him a super ride up to that. It´s human error - he just thought he was at the winning post,' he told At The Races.

'It´s inexperience possibly. I couldn´t believe it really, but the only satisfaction we get out of it is that we possibly have the best horse now.

'There´s plenty of races and it´s early in the season.

'He might come into contention when the (Queen Mother) Champion Chase comes round. Our horse is improving and he (Moscow Flyer) can´t improve that´s for sure at the age of 11 going on 12. We might be as good as him or better than him now.'

Hughes said he would keep faith with Loughran, and added: 'It´s up to Roger now to have the strength to keep going the way he was going and there´ll be no problem, he´s a good rider. These things happen.'

(C) PA Sport