Moscow Express turned the ratings on their head and gave the bookmakers a dream result as he overcame odds-on favourite Florida Pearl in the Powers Gold Label Tote Gold Cup at Fairyhouse this afternoon. Disappointing behind Micko's Dream last week at Gowran Park, the remarkably versatile Moscow Express was a decisive 14-1 scorer in a race that lost much of its competitive edge when Commanche Court blundered badly at the seventh fence and was eventually pulled up.
Commanche Court's rider Ruby Walsh was almost knocked out of the saddle by the error and performed wonders to remain united with his partner. The fate of that horse should have made the odds-on Florida Pearl's task relatively straightforward in the absence of stablemate Micko's Dream, but Moscow Express forgot to read the script and produced a stunning display despite having 21lb to find on official ratings.
The nine-year-old's trainer, Frances Crowley, was delighted with win, insisting: “He is in brilliant form at the moment and was really enjoying that today. The owner keeps telling me he's getting better with age.” Retired Belfast publican John Corr who purchased Moscow Express before the gelding won the 1999 Galway Plate was understandably delighted by what he regards as his best result as a racehorse owner. Moscow Express was winning for the 21st time when collecting the £75,000 winner's prize leaving a clearly tired Florida Pearl six lengths in his wake from the final fence as the veteran Dorans Pride finished well to be just a neck adrift in third.
Florida Pearl's jockey Richard Johnson who was on board when the horse when the Hennessy Gold Cup at Leopardstown in early February was hard at work some way from the finish although the favourite gave his supporters fresh hope when the winner made a bad mistake four out. Johnson declared: “It is very easy to knock Florida Pearl which still ran a good race but basically he hasn't got home.”
Locally-born champion jockey Barry Geraghty certainly got the best out of Moscow Express whose career earnings are now approaching the IR£250,000 mark. Commanche Court's trainer Ted Walsh and son Ruby had better luck earlier when Bob Justice justified favouritism in the Noel Ryan Memorial Novice Hurdle. But Ruby had to be content with second money on Be My Royal in the Menolly Homes Champion Novice Hurdle. Those who made the hat-trick-seeking Colonel Braxton an odds-on favourite for the Grade One event collected from the bookmakers as Kieran Kelly's mount fulfilled the high expectations of his Curragh trainer Dessie Hughes. Be My Royal still held the lead at the third last with the winner and eventual third Risk Accessor also making significant progress. The favourite went to the front before the final flight and although Be My Royal rallied bravely on the run to the line, the odds-on chance clearly was the best horse on the day, scoring by two lengths.
England-based Irishman Timmy Murphy's trip to Fairyhouse to partner David’s Lad for local trainer Tony Martin was handsomely rewarded as the 7-1 chance came fast and late to take the Kenwood Appliances Handicap Chase. (PA)
Filed by Shane Murray
