Moscow Flyer is the new favourite for the Irish Independent Arkle Trophy at Cheltenham after completing his hat-trick over fences at Leopardstown this afternoon in style.
The 5-4 favourite for the £75,000 Denny Gold Medal Novice Chase, Moscow Flyer jumped quickly and accurately for regular partner Barry Geraghty to beat his main market rival Youlneverwalkalone by two lengths to the relief of his trainer Jessica Harrington.
"I told Barry to settle the horse and keep him safe. He was delighted Moscow Flyer jumped so accurately, like a handicapper as he said," Mrs Harrington pointed out.
"He idled in front and has never won much beyond two miles, so I have to be pleased with that. My only worry was when he got a little close to the second last fence which I hate," she added.
The third home Colonel Yeager returned lame, having looked a threat after the second last fence with jockey Ruby Walsh reporting that the horse probably broke down rounding the final bend.
A return trip next month to the Dublin course is next on the agenda for Moscow Flyer according to Mrs Harrington. "Today's race and the Irish version of the Arkle Cup back here in a few weeks has always been the plan in the lead-up to the Arkle Trophy at Cheltenham," she remarked.
Geraghty had started the meeting on a winning note as well when permit holder George McMahon's recent Navan bumper winner Georgies Best opened his jumping account in the Denny Maiden Hurdle.
Despite a mistake at the last, Geraghty soon had the well-supported 7-2 chance back on an even keel to defeat the favourite Woodys Deep Ocean by a length.
But the connections of that favourite, the season's leading rider Paul Carberry and in-form trainer Noel Meade were soon compensated when the English import Thari made a pleasing debut over jumps in the Kerry Spring Maiden Hurdle.
Wicklow trainer Francis Flood and his jockey son and namesake shared the honours of the session as they doubled up with Newhall (4-1) and The Culdee (9-1) over timber.
Newhall compensated for an unlucky defeat at Thurles when romping away with the Denny Juvenile Hurdle for Flood junior who went to the front well before the last hurdle on the winner and came home four lengths ahead of 9-2 chance Moore's Law.
In contrast, jockey Flood made virtually all the running on The Culdee and beat off a succession of challengers to claim the Charleville Cheese Handicap Hurdle.
Not to be outdone on the day, Paul Carberry and Noel Meade got in on the double act in the Paddy Power Handicap Chase as the 2-1 favourite Woodenbridge Natif survived a blunder at the last fence to hold the late challenges of Be Home Early and Tidjani.