Master Minded hasn't done much wrong in winning both his races this season and it's no surprise to see him installed as 8/11 favourite with William Hill for the Victor Chandler Chase at Ascot on Saturday (2.25).

The eight-year-old can be classed among the outstanding chasers of all-time after back-to-back Champions Chase successes in 2008 and 2009 and is as short as 6/4 to make it three wins in March. He could only finish fourth in last season's renewal when odds-on favourite, but reportedly found the ground too fast and has bounced back this season after a summer wind operation, winning at Ascot and Cheltenham, where he beat five of today's rivals. He must take all the beating.

But a warning to punters: His trainer Paul Nicholls has not been at the top of his form this month with just seven winners from 49 runners (14.3%), whereas his great rival Nicky Henderson has been in blinding form, sending out 26 winners from 62 runners (41.9%), and he runs both Petit Robin and Mad Max here. And they are not the only smart horses in opposition as the field also includes promising types like Somersby and Crack Away Jack.

Still, if the ratings can be believed, they have all got it to do as the 178-rated Master Minded has 15lb in hand and should win the race by 20 lengths, which makes the 8/11 on offer with William Hill look very tempting indeed. However, taking into account trainer form, the quality of the opposition and the fact that anything can happen in chases (and normally does), I'm going to resist the urge to go in at odds-on and have a small bet instead on CRACK AWAY JACK, who is a tasty 18/1 with the sponsors.

Rated only 149, Emma Lavelle's chaser has plenty to find but I'll be amazed if he's not a good deal higher by the end of the season. He reached a peak of 158 over hurdles and was good enough to finish fourth in the 2009 Champion Hurdle behind Punjabi, before embarking on a chasing career that autumn. After making a winning debut at Sandown, he managed only two further runs that season as he developed heat in a tendon following his last run at Kempton in December and was put away.

He returns here after a 391-day absence and is unlikely to be fully tuned-up as his main objective is the Champion Chase, but his trainer has been particularly upbeat about his preparation, saying this week: "He did a lovely piece of work on Saturday and has been so slick getting from A to B in his schooling at home. It's a hot race, but it won't get a big field and we need to know what we should be thinking about at Cheltenham."

He has a bit to find with Petit Robin (8/1 bet365) on their running at Kempton and that horse must again have serious place claims, having finished runner-up in this race for the past two years, including when 16 lengths behind Master Minded in 2009. According to his trainer, Petit Robin is "better in every way this season" and he did get to within eight lengths of Master Minded in the Tingle Creek last time out. With the stable in such good form, he could finish closer still, although the selection makes more appeal at the odds.

Recommended Bet:

Crack Away Jack 1pt each-way @ 18/1 Victor Chandler