TOAST OF THE 'TOWN

Sober now a Festival contender

- BY ALAN MAGEE

Sober, ridden by Paul Townend, wins the Sky Bet Moscow Flyer Novice Hurdle

ROYAL Ascot hero Sober emerged as a possible Cheltenham Festival contender with a clear-cut victory in the Sky Bet Moscow Flyer Novice Hurdle at Punchestown.

The roll of honour for the Grade Two contest reads like a who's who of Willie Mullins-trained stars, with Mikael d'Haguenet (2009), Vautour (2014), Douvan (2015) and Impaire Et Passe (2023) among the Closutton maestros 11 previous winners.