Flyer in festival spirit

World Wide Web might have carried home the cash in Saturday's Paddy Power Chase but it was Moscow Flyer that once again had his…

World Wide Web might have carried home the cash in Saturday's Paddy Power Chase but it was Moscow Flyer that once again had his fans dreaming of Cheltenham.

As a 2 to 7 favourite, the reigning two-mile champion did nothing he wasn't entitled to do in beating Native Scout by five lengths but the manner of his Dial-A-Bet Chase victory exuded class. Left in front from six out, Moscow Flyer clearly idled and Barry Geraghty had to shake him up as Native Scout closed in the straight.

Ultimately, the champ scored with his ears pricked and trainer Jessica Harrington opened the possibility of his going to Cheltenham without a warm-up run. That did little to shake anyone's confidence - the bookmakers left him unchanged in the Champion Chase betting, as low as 6-4 with some.

The Paddy Power Handicap Chase, with a first prize of over €97,000, was less straightforward but for once it wasn't a bookies' benefit, the well backed winner starting an 8 to 1 favourite. Owner JP McManus had suspected World Wide Web was his best chance from his six runners but trainer Jonjo O'Neill, watching TV at Chepstow, had to endure all the emotions.

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Ballylusky, backed in to 9 to 1, fell at the very first obstacle and just a fence later McManus watched as his first colours on Take Five hit the dirt.

World Wide Web didn't help Liam Cooper by running in snatches but when it got serious powered through to beat Kymandjen by nine lengths.

Cooper nominated the winner as an Aintree National type and O'Neill said: "I've never thought of him as a National horse but if Liam says he is we will have to think about Aintree."

Cheltenham was the festival on Pat Fahy's mind after Mariah Rollins destroyed her opposition by eight lengths in the Grade 2 Novice Hurdle.

Saturday's 15,813 attendance was up 1,487 on the 2002 figure but the bookmaker's turnover of 1,613,906 was down just over 150,000. The Tote turnover of 568,324 was up 50,000.

Brian O'Connor

Brian O'Connor

Brian O'Connor is the racing correspondent of The Irish Times. He also writes the Tipping Point column