Flyer heads Melling field
Queen Mother Champion Chase winner Moscow Flyer will face just five rivals when he bids to maintain his unbeaten record over fences in the John Smith’s Melling Chase at Aintree on Friday.
Jessica Harrington’s star will be out to land his nineteenth race over the larger obstacles following his superb performance at Cheltenham last month, where he saw off Well Chief by two lengths.
And the 11-year-old proved he stays this two-and-a half-mile trip when he took the Grade One contest by six lengths from Isio 12 months ago.
Paul Nicholls will saddle two against the champion – Le Roi Miguel and Kadarann, the latter finishing fifth in the Champion Chase.
Martin Pipe’s Therealbandit and the Dr Philip Pritchard-trained outsider Davoski complete the field.
