Viking Flagship spearheaded a David Nicholson one-two when getting the better of Mulligan in a thriller for the William Hill Haldon Gold Cup Chase at Exeter yesterday. The evergreen 10-year-old, ridden by Richard Johnson, usually saves his best for the second half of the term but he came good with a vengeance on his seasonal debut, scooting clear from the final fence to beat his younger stablemate, the mount of Adrian Maguire, by five lengths. Explaining why Maguire partnered Mulligan, Nicholson said: "Adrian did not pick to ride the horse - I told him to ride Mulligan. I wanted him on the young horse as it was important to get him jumping as he had been on the floor on his final two runs last year."

Meanwhile, Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Mr Mulligan is likely to have a new jockey when he makes his next appearance. Trainer Noel Chance proposes to enter his stable star for the Sean Graham Chase at Ayr on Saturday week.

But the clash with the Murphy's Gold Cup meeting at Cheltenham means he is prepared to be without the services of the horse's usual partner Tony McCoy.

Chance, speaking after accepting the National Hunt trainer of the year award at the Daily Star luncheon, said: "I don't think Tony will be able to ride him. We would advise him not to come up to Ayr just for the one ride for us as we wouldn't want to jeopardise his job with Martin Pipe."

Chance revealed that Paul Carberry is top of his shopping list for a substitute. McCoy was also among the award winners, predictably landing the accolade as National Hunt jockey of the year.

Richard Hannon, who saddled Wildwood Flower to land the Ayr Gold Cup, was named Flat trainer of the year and Kieren Fallon added the Flat jockey of the year to this season's championship.