Newcomer Moscow Chief battles to victory The Charles Byrnes trained newcomer Moscow Chief showed good battling qualities to take the final race of the year at Tipperary, the Season Finale bumper, under Robbie McNamara. The well-bred 5yo son of Moscow Society, who is a half-brother to Trafford Lad, was sent to post at 5/1. He led and disputed for much of the contest and was taken to the stand’s side as they raced up the straight for the final time. He was headed over a furlong from home by Caoimhe’s Delight but he rallied well under pressure to regain the lead near the finish and score by a length and a quarter at the line. The aforementioned Sean O’Brien trained Caoimhe’s Delight had to settle for second under Ciaran Fennessy at 14/1 while the 11/4 favourite Stage King was a further seven lengths back in third under Mikey O’Connor. The winner was purchased for €15,000 at the Tattersalls Ireland August National Hunt Sale in 2010 and is a full-brother to Another Chieftain (also trained by Charles Byrnes) who won this very race back in 2010. Byrnes said afterwards: "He is a half-brother to Trafford Lad and he needs three miles. He is a real three mile chasing type. "I'm not sure if he is for sale and while I don't know whether he will be top class over hurdles I do know that he will be a decent three mile chaser." (On-course reporting by Thomas Weekes)
