Victory for Victoire as Hobbs dominates Sandown heat

Garde La Victoire gained a first victory over fences this season to gift trainer Philip Hobbs a one-two when leading home Bold Henry in Sandown's 32Red Casino Handicap Chase.After finishing third in a Grade Two hurdle at Ascot on his last start, the eight-year-old took full advantage of an ease in grade to carry top weight to glory on his return to chasing.Always up with the pace, the 6-4 favourite sealed victory with a bold jump at the last to defeat last year's winner by two lengths.Sarah Hobbs, wife of the winning trainer, said: "Richard Johnson said he jumped left, which he has done a bit in the past, over the first three."He got in a rhythm after the third. He is still learning and is still a baby. That's what we will do in the future, stick at two miles with him."I don't know if he is good enough for that (Queen Mother Champion Chase), but the Game Spirit might be more like it."