Moscow shows his class

RACING/Champion Chase report: As Moscow Flyer returned to a reception normally the preserve of returning generals after landing yesterday's Queen Mother Champion Chase, there was no more generous applause than that coming from the man in the yellow silks at the side of the parade ring.

Ruby Walsh stood for Moscow Flyer and his friend Barry Geraghty despite having to cope with the desperate disappointment of finishing only third on Azertyuiop. What was meant to have been the greatest three-handed scrap since Wellington and Blucher tucked into Napoleon ended when Azertyuiop dropped his back legs into the water jump and washed his chance, as well as his champion status, away.

That he battled back to within 15 lengths of his great rival provoked some "what-might-have-been" questions but Walsh was having none of that. Better than anyone he realised there was an inevitability to Moscow Flyer yesterday that confirmed his status as one of the best chasers seen here for a very long time.

"I was never going from the second fence. Even before the water I knew it was all over," explained Walsh before letting enthusiasm get the better of him. "The winner is a brilliant horse with a great jockey and a brilliant trainer. He got the reception he deserved. I can't see any reason why he shouldn't be back next year."

That would make Moscow Flyer the oldest Champion Chase winner for almost 30 years but then we are talking about a horse that seems to laugh at statistics. After all it had been 31 years since the only previous horse to regain the title had won and this was Moscow Flyer's 18th chase win from 18 completed starts.

"I always have complete confidence that he is the best horse in any race he runs in," explained Geraghty who was banishing the memory of last year when he was unseated at the fourth last. This time round, Moscow Flyer was a little slow at the same obstacle but as his jockey grinned: "We got a short one in between us!"

At that stage it was the other Irish runner, Central House, that led but Geraghty and trainer Jessica Harrington knew that the real danger was just behind. Well Chief is almost half Moscow Flyer's age and he stalked the favourite to the final bend with a grit that spelled trouble.

"Moscow Flyer was taking the mick, dossing in front as usual but really it was so straight-forward and easy. He's just different class. I only hope it's the same next year," said Geraghty.

Talk of 2006 already provoked a groan from Harrington whose pre-race anxiety hadn't been helped by a morning rumour that Moscow Flyer had burst a blood vessel. "I was told he had bled. Then I was told he had bled from the mouth," she explained. "He'd just bitten his lip. He does that when he gets a bit excited."

It's just as well it's not a congenital habit among Irish males or the winners enclosure yesterday would have been flooded. Even in the long history of ecstatic receptions this was special. But then the subject is a bit special too.

"People have claimed he is the best we've seen since Arkle and I wouldn't argue with that," declared Geraghty. "He beat Steel Band, who was tailed off yesterday, the same as he beat Well Chief but that's Moscow. He only does enough."

Harrington believes it's that laid back attitude that has kept her star at the top for so long and she eventually had to concede that a third win in the race next year is a very real possibility.

"We'll take it one race at a time and there are only two real options for the rest of this season at Aintree and Punchestown. As for next year we will see what my nerves are like," she said.

"He is getting older and he will be beaten one day but he certainly doesn't act his age. I was worried when he was in front so far out and Well Chief was in his slipstream. But he always keeps pulling out that little bit more."

Is it any wonder then that even those competing against Moscow Flyer regard him as being just that little bit special.