Sober Stakes Festival Claim After Moscow Flyer Triumph
Royal Ascot winner Sober put himself firmly on the Cheltenham Festival radar with a polished success in the Sky Bet Moscow Flyer Novice Hurdle at Punchestown.
The Grade Two contest has long been a launchpad for top-class novices from the Willie Mullins yard, with the roll of honour featuring the likes of Mikael d’Haguenet, Vautour, Douvan and Impaire Et Passe — all of whom followed up Festival glory with victory at Prestbury Park just two months later.
Vautour and Douvan went on to land the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, while Mikael d’Haguenet and Impaire Et Passe successfully stepped up in trip for what is now the Turners Novices’ Hurdle. On this evidence, Sober may yet have the same luxury of choice.
Making his first appearance since landing the Queen Alexandra Stakes at Royal Ascot last summer, the 9-4 chance travelled ominously well behind Gordon Elliott’s odds-on favourite Road Exile. Still on the bridle approaching the final flight, Sober quickened smartly on the run-in to pull five and a half lengths clear in decisive fashion.
Mullins’ assistant David Casey admitted he hadn’t been sure what to expect after the break, but was delighted with the outcome.
“He had a break after Ascot and I thought he might need a bit further, but I suppose his Flat class told and he put it to bed well. I’m very happy with what he did,” Casey said.
Paul Townend’s feedback only added to the optimism.
“Paul said he quickened very well — probably a little bit more than he expected — but he was delighted with him,” Casey continued. “A truer-run race would probably suit him as well and hopefully he’ll improve plenty and keep going forward.”
Despite holding an entry for the two-mile Grade One at the Dublin Racing Festival, a quick turnaround looks unlikely.
“He’s in the two-mile race at the Dublin Racing Festival but my guess is he won’t go there as it’s too close,” Casey added.
While Sober was slightly untidy early on, there were no lasting concerns.
“He jumped a bit sketchy at the first but after that Paul said he was good,” said Casey.
Installed as a 16-1 chance with Coral for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, Sober could yet return to his Flat roots later in the year — potentially on a very big stage.
“He could end up back at Ascot again and is owned by Australians, so he could head out there in November for the Melbourne Cup,” Casey revealed.
For now, though, the Cheltenham Festival looms large, and Sober looks a novice very much heading in the right direction.
