Racing: Flagship is put away for Cheltenham

Flagship Uberalles was reported to be "very well" yesterday after giving trainer Philip Hobbs a second big-race triumph on successive weekends. The seven-year-old, ridden by Robert Widger, landed the Tingle Creek Trophy Chase at Sandown for a remarkable third year in a row. It was a feat all the more remarkable as each race has been under the guidance of a different trainer.

He is now set to be put away for Cheltenham in March by Hobbs, who won the previous Saturday's Hennessy Gold Cup with What's Up Boys. Hobbs said yesterday. "I don't think he will run again now before the Champion Chase, he will go straight there – that's the plan."

When yesterday's winner was in the care of Noel Chance last season (having previously been with Paul Nicholls), Chance had signalled an intention to run Flagship Uberalles in the King George over three miles. But Hobbs has doubts that the horse would stay further than two miles.