Moscow regains Queen Mother crown

Race fans were promised something special and they weren't to be disappointed as Moscow Flyer - one of the truly great two mile champion chasers - added another footnote to the Festival's rich history in Wednesday's showpiece race.Jessica Harrington's 11-year-old went off as the 6/4 favourite for the Queen Mother Champion Chase and produced a flawless performance to beat market rivals Azertyuiop 2/1 and Well Chief 7/2 to regain the trophy he last landed in 2003.Get a free fifty pound bet from VCBet!Many will point to Azertyuiop's blunder at the water jump as the race's defining moment but VC Bet's Ian Marmion disagreed."Moscow was in cruise control throughout even before Azertyuiop's mistake and the way he brushed off the challenge from Well Chief up the home straight showed what a true champion he is."The result has cost us fortunes but we'll be paying out with a smile on our faces after a win like that."Moscow Flyer has now won all 18 races he has finished. VC Bet's racing liabilities took another caning as No Refuge landed Wednesday's opening race - the Royal & Sun Alliance Novices' Hurdle. The horse was backed at 10s, 9s and finally 17/2 to remove a total of £150k from the firm's liabilities.Shortly afterwards, the layer was staring an even bigger pay out as 3/1 chance Comply Or Die lead into the closing stages of the Royal & Sun Alliance Chase. Comply Or Die had been backed to take out £200k but had to settle for second as Nicky Henderson's Trabolgan 5/1 took over at the last to win by three lengths.On Thursday all eyes will be on Baracouda as Francois Doumen's star goes for his third World Stayers' Hurdle in four years.The 2002 and 2003 champ has received some massive support in the build up to the Festival with one fearless punter shelling out £15,000 at even money last week.With champion jockey Tony McCoy on board can the French raider reward the faith of the big hitters?Get a free fifty pound bet from VCBet!