Master Minded, the highest rated chaser in training, is Coral's 11/10 favourite for the Champion Chase in March, and he will trade even shorter if he kicks his season off in style in Saturday's Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown.
After joining Paul Nicholls last summer, Master Minded made phenomenal progress, completing his hat-trick with a scintillating performance at the Cheltenham Festival, scoring by 19 lengths from the previous season's champion two miler, Voy Por Ustedes. That rival turned him over in the Melling Chase, but he had valid excuses as the 2m4f trip may have stretched his stamina to the limit or he may have simply bounced after Cheltenham. Whatever the reason, he remains very much the one to beat over 2m this season, and scarily for his rivals, Nicholls reports him to have strengthened up over the summer.
Any negatives? Nicholls has suffered a few high-profile reverses over the past few weekends - Silverburn (disappointing 6th) in the Paddy Power, Kauto Star (fell) in the Betfair Chase and Big Buck's (fell) in the Hennessy - but there's no reason to think his horses aren't firing. The latter two were both ridden by Sam Thomas, who cannot be legitimately be blamed for either defeat, but you can bet your bottom dollar that his replacement, Tony McCoy, will not put a foot wrong on Saturday.
Some may see his price as a negative - 8/13 best with Blue Square at the time of writing. Backing odds-on is not everyone's cup of tea I know, but if he stands up, he wins - simple. Looking further ahead to the Champion Chase, there are worse 11/10 shots around, although backing a horse three months before a race comes with an element of risk.
As for his rivals, Tidal Bay (4.3 Betfair, 3/1 general) can give the favourite most to do. He looked an above average winner of the Arkle Chase in March, and followed up his Festival win with an impressive success at Aintree to make it five wins from six chase starts. He's versatile as regards distance, won't mind the likely soft ground, and will have an edge in fitness after winning easily at Carlisle last month.
It will be interesting to see how he runs on Saturday as his performance will determine his campaign for this season. If he runs well or beats Master Minded, he will probably go down the 2m route - Ladbrokes quote him at 5/1 for the Champion Chase. If he gives the impression that he needs further, he might head for the King George, for which he's 6/1 with Stan James.
Nicholls has three other entries, including last year's winner Twist Magic (14/1 sportingbet), who has had mixed fortunes since. He can't be recommended for a Tingle Creek double, while his stablemate Takeroc (8/1 bet365) has something to find with Tidal Bay on their running at Aintree in April. Natal is more likely to run at Punchestown on Sunday. The rest are hard to fancy.
Recommended Bet:
Master Minded 5pts @ 8/13 Blue Square
