Racing: Flagship flies high

Cheltenham Festival

THE FLAG that was fluttering boldest yesterday may have been the Irish tricolor, but there was also victory for another pennant. Flagship Uberalles, in the stars and stripes of Americans Michael and Elizabeth Krysztofiak, took the Arkle Trophy, ending Paul Nicholls's barren run at the Festival. It was a first professional win at the meeting for Joe Tizzard.

Success has come more consistently for Martin Pipe and Tony McCoy. The former is now level with Vincent O'Brien on 23 Festival winners following the win for Hors La Loi III in the opener. Only Tom Dreaper on 26 stands ahead of him. For McCoy it was a fourth consecutive Festival win. Hors La Loi III was priced at 7-1 by Ladbrokes for next year's Champion Hurdle.

The crowd of 46,470 was a record for the opening day.

Celtic Giant was a 20-1

winner for Hyperion in

yesterday's Kim Muir

Chase at Cheltenham