Moscow Flyer to stay home for the holidays

RACING/News and programmes: Moscow Flyer is to miss the Stan James King George VI Chase at Kempton Park on St Stephen's Day.

The two-miler, winner of a thrilling race for the William Hill Tingle Creek Trophy at Sandown last Saturday, will instead stay in Ireland for the Paddy Power Dial-a-Bet Chase.

"Had he been beaten on Saturday I think we would have gone to Kempton," said trainer Jessica Harrington yesterday.

Moscow Flyer was 5 to 1 with Coral for the King George.

Kempton's loss will be Leopardstown's gain as Moscow Flyer will bid to win the Grade Two chase over Christmas for the third successive year.

"He had a quite a hard race on Saturday and the King George comes up quite soon afterwards," Harrington added.

After Leopardstown, Moscow Flyer will run at Punchestown in February before attempting to regain the Queen Mother Champion Chase crown at Cheltenham in March.

The 2003 winner unseated Barry Geraghty last season, leaving Azertyuiop to triumph, but the Irish horse took his revenge on Paul Nicholls' charge in the Tingle Creek.

After the Cheltenham race, the plan is for Moscow Flyer to return to Aintree to attempt back-to-back victories in the Melling Chase over two and a half miles in April.

Moscow Flyer is a best-priced 5 to 2 with Coral for the Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.

Jonjo O'Neill is set to pitch Keen Leader against triple Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Best Mate at Leopardstown.

The Jackdaws Castle handler is leaning towards the Lexus Chase at the Dublin track on December 28th rather than an outing at the the Rowland Meyrick at Wetherby for the eight-year-old, who was a moderate third to Horus in the Edward Hanmer Memorial Chase at Haydock on his seasonal debut.

"We will look at the Rowland Meyrick for him, but if the ground is soft enough I wouldn't mind taking him to Leopardstown for the Lexus," said O'Neill. "I wouldn't be afraid to take on the other horse."