No stopping Moscow Flyer if he stands up

Racing Previews Moscow Flyer is the headline act on a Navan card tomorrow that has plenty of other star names competing for …

Racing PreviewsMoscow Flyer is the headline act on a Navan card tomorrow that has plenty of other star names competing for attention.

The former champion chaser still possesses the incredible statistic of never having been beaten over fences when standing up and that should apply again here in the Ballymore Fortria Chase.

Barry Geraghty has schooled Moscow Flyer in the last week and the partnership pleased trainer Jessica Harrington. It's very much "the usual suspects" among the opposition and Moscow Flyer's biggest danger again looks to be a jumping lapse.

Only five line up for the Philips Lismullen Hurdle, including last year's winner Rosaker but both trip and ground look ideal for Solerina who can emulate Limestone Lad's 2002 success in this for James Bowe.

READ MORE

The BOI For Auction Novice Hurdle looks a fascinating contest and it sees Tom Foley's Royal Paradise return to the two mile after winning at Naas last week.

The presence of Justified and The Railway Man make this a stiff task but the biggest threat could come from Wild Passion, who is 4lb better for his Roscommon defeat by Royal Paradise.

Watson Lake may eventually relish farther than the two miles of the Beginners Chase but Noel Meade's horse has the scope to be anything over fences.

Meade can also make his presence felt in the Pierse Group Cork Grand National with the soft ground loving Star Clipper. This horse returned from almost a year away to run behind Tasman over hurdles here last month. The runner-up that day, Oh Be The Hokey, won over fences at Thurles midweek and the testing conditions will not be a problem for the grey.

Master Albert will be hard to beat on his jumping debut while Gayle Abated looks the one in the Beginners Chase.

Brian O'Connor

Brian O'Connor

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