Leopardstown report: Moscow Flyer put the finishing touches to his Cheltenham preparation after racing at Leopardstown last evening, but Jessica Harrington conceded she is no wiser if the veteran superstar is ready for one more festival success.
The double Champion Chaser jumped four fences for Barry Geraghty before working over almost a circuit, and while the schooling went okay the consensus among the huge crowd watching the traditional pre-festival work-outs was that he was less than impressive in the gallop.
"Maybe the clock has ticked too far, you just don't know," Harrington said. "Barry settled him in behind and he stayed there. But he doesn't really like galloping. Jumping is his forte. He got a bit tight to the second, but winged the last two."
The reigning Champion Hurdler Hardy Eustace galloped a mile and a half with four others and satisfied his trainer, Dessie Hughes.
"He was his usual lazy self to a point, but he quickened well and looks fine," he said. "This year we have had an interruption but we'll just have to deal with it."
Another Champion Hurdle contender, Al Eile, worked alongside Power Elite and the Supreme novice hope Blueberry Boy, who impressed, while the Champion remains an outside bet for Asian Maze, who has the World Hurdle as a number one option.
"I would say it is 70-30 she will go for the Stayers, but the main thing is that Ruby (Walsh) said she was very fit," said Asian Maze's trainer, Tom Mullins. "She worked well over a mile and a half with Miss Toulon and I was pleased with the way she came up straight."
Willie Mullins worked his usual strong team in three separate groups, with Mick Fitzgerald catching the eye on board the Grand National hero Hedgehunter. The Gold Cup remains an option for Hedgehunter, but no decision has been taken on that.
"Mick said he jumped very well in his school and was very fresh," said Mullins, who added he will give his SunAlliance Chase favourite Our Ben another work-out later in the week. "He's quite stuffy and might need another piece."
Triumph Hurdle favourite Mister Hight (Ruby Walsh) worked in the second group alongside Clear Riposte, and both horses pleased Mullins, who also galloped four of his strong bumper team.
"Shady Willow and Equus Maximus both settled well, which pleased me, and Irish Invader missed the kick before the straight but otherwise would have been upsides too," Mullins said. "Ballytrim (Walsh) wouldn't normally be as fast as these at home, but is obviously better on grass as he had no problem keeping up with them," he added.
Edward O'Grady worked some of his Cheltenham hopes, and afterwards Sky's The Limit was backed into general favouritism for the Coral Cup.
The Supreme hope O'Muircheartaigh also worked, and O'Grady reported: "He went okay and I'm happy enough with him."
