Master looks set to be prepared for Ryanair Chase
He might not be quite as fast or quite as dominant in the two-mile chasing division as he was a couple of seasons ago, but the Paul Nicholls-trained Master Minded is still a seriously talented performer who seems more than likely to be seen at the 2012 Cheltenham Festival contesting the Ryanair Chase than the Queen Mother Champion Chase, a race he won in both 2008 and 2009, writes Elliot Slater.
Although he won both the Grade 1 Tingle Creek Chase and the Grade 1 Victor Chandler Chase last season at close to the minimum trip, Nicholls' tremendous campaigner was found wanting when he went in search of his third chasing title at last season's Cheltenham Festival, chased along behind the leaders coming down the hill he was then under strong pressure and four lengths adrift when he made a momentous blunder from which regular pilot Ruby Walsh performed wonders to keep the partnership intact. In the end the eight-year-old was eased right down in finishing a long way back in eighth behind the brave winner Sizing Europe. Even those looking for Grand National tips may want to pay attention to his future exploits.
Written off as past his best by many observers, Master Minded was stepped up to tackle the two-and-a-half mile Grade 1 John Smith's Melling Chase at Aintree three weeks later and proved the doubters completely wrong when easily accounting for the classy Alberta's Run by nine-lengths to flag up the possibility that he might prove himself more than capable of winning at the top level this season one again at or around the Aintree distance. People looking at the Grand National betting online should remember this.
Bookmakers seem to have taken this into account having installed the Andy Stewart-owned gelding as the 6/1 ante-post favourite for the Ryanair Chase. They clearly believe that Master Minded's best days over two-miles are now behind him in making the former dominant force in the division as big as 16/1 to win back his Champion Chase title.
