WITH so many top-class two milers taking each other on there'll be no shortage of fireworks in this afternoon's mouth-watering clash for the £100,000 Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown, writes Colin Woods (Janus).

It's a race that over the years has been dominated by course specialists and the current generation is no exception, because the much-travelled Flagship Uberalles (2.30) is bidding for an astonishing fourth successive victory in the Mitsubishi-sponsored event.

"My job is to get him to the start 100 per cent fit and I'm happy to report he's in good form," said current trainer Hobbs, who has kept up the good work with Flagship Uberalles, previously sent out to win the same race by Noel Chance (2000) and Paul Nicholls (1999).

Not many horses would have adapted to such frequent changes of scenery as Flagship Uberalles, but then he is a quite remarkable individual. For instance, in this year's Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham, so poorly was the eight-year-old travelling, backers could have been forgiven for tearing up their tickets at the half-way stage.

However, his regular jockey Richard Johnson, not known for throwing in the towel, kept pushing until Flagship Uberalles finally got his act together and literally flew up the hill at Prestbury Park to claim a cool £127,600 for his lucky owners.

Johnson will not want his mount to labour in similar fashion because the Irish raider, Moscow Flyer, so impressive when collecting the "Arkle" at the Cheltenham Festival in March, looks sure to take Flagship Uberalles all the way.

"He has to meet Flagship Uberalles at some stage and it might as well be now," reported Moscow Flyer's ebullient trainer, Jessica Harrington.

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