Flagship ok after Sandown slip
Flagship Uberalles is none the worse for his stumble at Sandown on Saturday and may have one more outing before attempting to repeat last season's victory in the Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham in March.
The Philip Hobbs-trained eight-year-old was bidding to win the Mitsubishi Shogun Tingle Creek Trophy for a fourth time when he ruined his chance when slipping on landing over the fifth fence.
Flagship Uberalles closed on the leaders approaching the Pond Fence but he had given away too much ground with his mistake in the two-mile contest and jockey Richard Johnson brought the 15-8 favourite home in fourth place, 38 lengths behind the winner Cenkos.
"He's seems absolutely fine," Hobbs said.
And recalling the slip the Minehead trainer went on: "It was just a bit unfortunate really.
"It was early days obviously but he was going fine."
There are no firm plans for Flagship Uberalles's next race.
"I'll have to discuss it with the owner what we are going to do," Hobbs added.
"There are two options, he either waits for the Champion Chase or he runs somewhere over the Christmas period."
Flagship Uberalles is a 7-1 chance with William Hill to land back-to-back victories in the Queen Mother Champion Chase.
Hobbs also confirmed Rooster Booster on course for the Grade Two Victor Chandler Bula Hurdle at Cheltenham on Saturday.
