Moscow Flyer's season had begun with a bump, literally, into Flagship Uberalles backside when that rival stumbled badly at the fifth in the Gd1 Mitsubishi Shogun Tingle Creek Trophy Chase at Sandown, Dec 7. The upshot of it all was that Flagship Uberalles kept in the race, though had lost its chance and a surprised Barry Geraghty fell off Moscow Flyer. Meanwhile up front Cenkos took advantage of the trouble behind to take over the lead at the next from Edredon Bleu. Thereafter it never really looked in danger of defeat winning by 14 lengths. A strict interpretation of this form would put the winner clear on 2m chase ratings. It is not that easy though for the time was slower than the Gd2 novice chase over the same distance (admittedly that winner Impek is a decent animal.). On top of that Edredon Bleu is not a good yardstick on this occasion as it was not given a hard time. I have to stand by the clock but would expect 160 from Cenkos next time, which could well be the Queen Mother. No doubt that Paul Nicholls (and team) will have it spot on for the big one. In Janauary it was announced that J P McManus had acquired Flagship Uberalles from its American owners.

Tiutchev, now with Martin Pipe, made a cracking seasonal debut at Sandown, Feb 1, faltering only after the last when beaten by Eskleybrook 145 in a 2m handicap chase.

Tiutchev went one better when easily winning the Gd1 Ritz Club Ascot Chase. A sudden injection of pace four out quickly changed the complexion of the race. The winner is now being targetted at a valuable chase in Japan. Geos 134 who came home a distant second, is a stone better over hurdles.

Eskleybrook continued its winning ways with a made all victory in the betfair.com Chase gamely holding off Turgeonev and Wahiba Sands. The winner's rider was not able to claim his 7lb allowance in this contest. It will be interesting to see how the handicapper reacts to this.

Moscow Flyer had its final prep for the Queen Mother in the Gd3 Tied Cottage at Punchestown, Feb 2. The opposition apart from last year's Gold Cup second, Commanche Court, making its seasonal debut over an inadequate trip on ground too testing, was moderate. As expected it won easily in what proved to be a virtual non contest.

Kadarann was much improved on fast ground towards the end of last season. It was left clear at the last by the fall of Golden Alpha to win a Cheltenham Handicap, Dec 14, in a decent time. The comfortable win against stable companion Cenkos and Lady Cricket in the Gd2 Game Spirit, Newbury, Feb 8, showed that performance was not a fluke and probably still improving. Cenkos was not fully geared up for this contest and the ground was against Lady Cricket particlarly over this shorter trip.

Jim Culloty who has formed a formidable partnership with Best Mate fell foul of a dubious decision to suspend him for dropping his hands and losing third place in a modest National Hunt Flat at Doncaster before Christmas. It did not help that the jockey on the third also dropped his hands near the line thereby shortening the margin between them. I am convinced (am not alone on this point) that the third was ahead some way before the line. When it is tight (the viewing angle here is very deceptive in determining horses racing apart) the benefit of the doubt should go to the jockey. We can not keep bashing them with everything, as they are generally following orders. Tony McCoy got the ride on the star chaser again and won this time though it was close. The second last fence was almost their undoing where probably a combination of the wrong stride and possibly indecision caused a loss of momentum and their lead as Marlborough joined them on the run to the last. They met it right and gamely fought off the challenge from the gallant Henderson runner for an exciting victory. Bacchanal was done for toe in the straight but ran a fair race. If it runs to this level in the Gold Cup it will make the frame at least and can be expected to reverse placings with stable companion Marlborough who is a Kempton specialist. Last year's winner Florida Pearl could only manage fourth this year. A stronger earlier gallop and slower ground, found it out. Though it may well not have been as forward this year. That said unless they crawl round on fast ground it will not find Cheltenham any easier and Moscow Flyer and co will not be giving anything away in the Queen Mother. Flagship Uberalles, might as well have, stayed in its box.

Sadly Bacchanal had a fatal fall before halfway in the Gd2 Pillar Property Chase, Cheltenham, Jan 25. First time blinkers did not work with the horse jumping too big at the fences. The race went to Behrajan who made all. The time was not great with poor performances from Gingembre and Valley Henry. Both would have preferred better ground. Foly Pleasant came home a distant second, the ground would not have been a problem but the trip of 3m 1½f was just too far. The winner Behrajan, posted a much better time when winning a Listed Handicap at Ascot Dec 21.

Valley Henry put in a decent display in winning the Gd2 Aon Chase from Chives and Truckers Tavern, Newbury, Feb 8. If the ground is riding fast in the Gold Cup it will be one of the major contenders on this evidence. Chives could not match the winner for toe and was in receipt of six pounds here. Good ground at Cheltenham would not change this result. It would seem that its best chance of big race glory would lie in the Grand National as impressive novice Keen Leader could well be a possible opponent if it comes up soft. Marlborough had a stiff task at the weights and was beaten when crashing out at the last. Almost certainly the ground was too quick.

Novice Beef Or Salmon continues to improve. The win in the Gd1 Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Leopardstown, Feb 9, was its best yet. Quietly ridden by Timmy Murphy in the rear it was produced to lead at the last. It soon pulled four lengths clear for a comfortable victory. If the going at Cheltenham comes up soft it will be have a clear chance in the Gold Cup, assuming its stamina holds out that is. Colonel Braxton just held on for second from the staying on again Harbour Light who was obliged to make the early running.

Youlneverwalkalone, has been much improved over fences this season with the step up to three miles. It won the Gd3 William Hill National Hunt Handicap Chase at Cheltenham, Mar 11, from novice Haut Cercy 142. It was always travelling and jumping well, making up ground steadily to challenge at the last. Never looking like it would throw in the towel it won by ¾ length. There could well be more to come but in any case it is well handicapped for the National which has since been revealed as its next target. Barry Geraghty gave it a fine quiet ride at Cheltenham, if he is on board at Aintree its propsects can only be enhanced.

Veteran former Gold cup winner See More Business made all to win a Listed Chase at Wincanton, Feb 15 from Iris Bleu 143 and First Gold 142. This was the fifth year in a row that the winner had posted a Timeking rating of 150 or more, which is a testament to the ability of both the horse and trainer, Paul Nicholls. The plan is to contest the Gold Cup again. If it can match last year's third it will have done well. Iris Bleu improved a couple of pounds on its Sandown win, showing at the same time that it does not need testing going to perform well at this level. First Gold has not been the same horse since a gruelling victory at Aintree two years ago.

Last year's Gold Cup runner up Commanche Court won a slow 20f Handicap at Navan, Feb 16. The going was softer than it likes. If the Cheltenham going is good or better I'm sure we will see a much better display though it would probably need Best Mate to fall on that ground, to have a chance of winning it.