IN WHAT was billed as a Champion Chase rematch, Viking Flagship's superior jumping gained him his second successive victory in yesterday's Mumm Melling Chase. But in contrast to last year's memorable finish, when Adrian Maguire had to pull out all the stops to get up by a short head, the deposed champion chaser won most impressively by seven lengths for young Tony McCoy, deputising for the injured Maguire.
It was clear that whichever came out best from the Queen Mother Champion Chase would have a decisive advantage in yesterday's half mile longer event. Both Irish horses, the reigning champion Klairon Davis and Sound Man, had hard races at Cheltenham only two weeks ago and had to travel back and forth. But Viking Flagship, who like his two rivals was mistake prone, is as tough as old leather and looked in fine shape.
Viking Flagship, who had just got the better of his long disputing rival Sound Man in the closing stages of the Festival feature as Klairon Davis swept past, was not as well fancied yesterday Sound Man and Edward O'Grady's charge set off favourite over this, his optimum trip.
Once again Sound Man's jumping let him down and Klairon Davis was also error prone. Course specialist Coulton made it a good gallop but when he weakened after the third last Viking Flagship cruised to the front. Sailing over the last two he left his three rivals trailing.
Punchestown is the next stop for Viking Flagship, who may renew rivalry with Klairon Davis and Sound Man in the BMW Drogheda Handicap Chase, a race the redoubtable nine year old won three years ado.
Said trainer David Nicholson last year when he won here it was a great race. This time it was a great exhibition. He was given the ride of a lifetime by Tony McCoy."
Nicholson believes that if Viking Flagship is going to get three miles and he certainly wasn't stopping at the end yesterday it will be at Kempton. But he is invariably stuffy for the first part of each season and takes two or three races to come to himself.
Tony McCoy said he never had a better ride. He wasn't travelling that well down the back, but the minute I grabbed hold of him he was like a different horse. He is tough and very, very good really full of himself and flew the last three fences. He must love his racing."