FOLLOWING the shake-up in the Gold Cup market caused by One Man's King George victory last week, it was the turn of the two-milers to make ripples in the Champion Chase betting this week. However, performances from Viking Flagship, Strong Platinum, Klaiwn Davis, Travado and Martin's Lamp amongst others have failed to knock Sound Man from favouritism for the race at Cheltenham on March 13th.
Defending champion Viking. Flagship did not please all observers when a 15 length third to. Dublin Flyer at Wincanton last. week, prompting an across-the-board lengthening of his price to retain his crown.
But, following comforting assurances from David Nicholson, Viking Flagship has been clipped a point back into 7 to 1 with both Coral and William Hill.
The principal challenge from this country, apart from favourite Sound Man, has centred around Arkle winner Klairon Davis and rising star Strong Platinum.
The trio hold the first three places in the betting for the race, with Sound Man a best-priced 15 to 8, Strong Platinum next at 3 to 1 and Klairon Davis a general 6 to 1.
Strong Platinum remains unchanged on 3 to 1 after Saturday's Leopardstown race, but Klairon Davis lengthened to 6 to 1 with two firms after crashing out of the contest five out his second fall in three starts this season.
A spokeswoman at Arthur Moore's stable yesterday reported that the seven-year-old was "fine" after the tumble. "There are no problems with him and he has been out in the paddock this morning," she said.
Ill-fated chaser Uncle Eli ran his last race when landing the Steel Plate and Sections Handicap Chase at Ascot on Saturday, it was revealed yesterday. The Robert Alner-trained 13-year-old broke down after he beat The Frog Prince by a head in the £12,000-added race - his first outing for nearly two years.
"Uncle Eli has been retired," Alner's wife Sally said yesterday. "He's fine but he has twisted a fetlock. It is a different injury to that which kept him off before and we thought at his age he is owed retirement. He has got a nice home to go to with a friend of the owner. It's disappointing but that's life."
Uncle Eli ends his career the winner of seven races in 26 starts under National Hunt rules, with Saturday's prize taking his total earnings to more than £30,000.
Mrs Alner was far from despondent about the poor showing of stable-companion Hops And Pops, who finished well-beaten 11th when second favourite for the final race at Warwick. "She's done it before and recuperated very quickly - it's just her," she said.
