Moscow pleases in racecourse gallop
Dual Queen Mother Champion Chase hero Moscow Flyer pleased connections and took another step towards the Cheltenham Festival in a racecourse gallop after racing at Punchestown.
The 12-year-old is attempting to bounce back from a disappointing season with his third victory in the two-mile showpiece, and hopes are high that he can rekindle his old sparkle.
He completed a circuit of the track with stable companion Well Presented and Barry Geraghty, who partnered the veteran gelding, was more than happy with the feel he gave him.
“He needed that,” said Geraghty. “That was as good as a race for him.”
His trainer Jessica Harrington was also satisfied with the workout.
“Barry was very happy with him,” said Harrington.
“He said that he felt real bouncy under him. They went a right gallop on that ground and he’s having a good old blow after it.
“He doesn’t like that ground (heavy) at all and we’ll see how he is. There is a good possibility that he will go to Leopardstown on the first Sunday in March for a gallop with a few other Cheltenham bound horses and we might send him over a few fences somewhere.
“The surface on the big gallop at the Curragh (where he usually works) is very easy on him and he had a lot more to do on that ground.
“He’ll need to go to Cheltenham 100% and this is another step along the way.”
