UPMANSHIP on course for Queen Mother Native Upmanship heads straight for the Queen Mother Champion Chase on March 12 after easily landing the odds in the Grade 2 MacLochlainn Road Markings Limited Kinloch Brae Steeplechase at a bitterly cold Thurles this afternoon, writes Alan Magee.The Arthur Moore-trained gelding was sent off the 1/4 market leader over his favourite two and a half miles distance and against just four rivals. Conor O`Dwyer elected to challenge between Arctic Copper and Moscow Express between the final two fences in the straight, and the ten-year-old readily drew clear on the run-in to score by a facile three and a half lengths.`That`s a nice confidence booster, and he will go straight for the Queen Mother,` said Moore, who also confirmed that the gelding will bid to follow up last year`s win in `the two and a half miler at Aintree`.Cashmans left their `Queen Mother` betting unchanged, with Native Upmanship still 12/1 behind 5/2 favourite Moscow Flyer.Alan Magee
