Ruby Walsh may have the jockey's championship in the bag following the news that Paul Carberry faces up to three months on the sidelines, but steeple-chasing demands that a jockey's eye can never be taken off the ball, especially when riding Moscow Express.
The Frances Crowley trained chestnut has more than his fair share of talent, but his attitude to jumping fences has given more than one jockey a shock. Given that, Walsh faces a real challenge when partnering him in tonight's Gowla Novice Chase at Tipperary.
The Moscow Express dilemma was never better illustrated than at Punchestown. On the first day he got rid of Garrett Cotter at an early stage, while Barry Cash looked set for a similar fate in the David Austin Chase, before hanging on.
Despite his irregularities, even an adequate round this evening would see a peak-form Moscow Express cope with the likes of Puget Blue and Bramblehill Chief.
The nine furlong handicap looks quite a trappy contest with the likes of Chipperchatter and the Navan winner Privatize sure to come into consideration. However, a value bet could be Shane Kelly's mount Lawnett who finished fifth behind Privatize. Now that John Oxx's yard has started to produce winners, it would be unwise to ignore the chances of Kasota, fourth to Sandholes at the Curragh, in the 12 furlong handicap, while That's My Wife will be hard to beat in the handicap hurdle.
Such is the current from of Aidan O'Brien's juveniles that the Caerleon colt Strauss is unstoppable in the opener, while Ankor Belle and Fisher's Cross are the speculative choices in the bumpers.
