Master Minded and Fehily enjoy Cheltenham success

His acceleration, turning for home before Cheltenham's long, punishing uphill finish, was instant. So, too, was his jumping – the horse was foot perfect for substitute jockey Noel Fehily.

This was the old Master Minded – the 'machine' that won back-to-back Queen Mother Champion Chases before a rib injury saw him lose his crown and prompt many to contend, falsely, that his career was over.

He may never match the iconic Badsworth Boy and win three successive Champion Chases – the Yorkshire horse and his jockey-turned-steward Robert Earnshaw's record appears safe – but it would be foolish to back against the Paul Nicholls-trained star when he returns to Cheltenham for next year's Queen Mother.

In short, Master Minded – also helped by a successful breathing operation – demolished a high-quality field as he won the re-

arranged Keith Prowse Tingle Creek Chase in commanding style, the third leg of a four-timer for the Nicholls stable.

"He had a breathing operation in the summer as I was convinced that is what was stopping him. It has made a big difference to him," said an elated Nicholls. "What he will do now is have a little break and then go for the Victor Chandler at Ascot at the end of January. After that he'll go straight to the Champion Chase, he won't run anywhere else."

Fehily, replacing the injured Ruby Walsh, was clearly impressed. "He was very good. It was a true-run race but he picked up well off a fast pace and saw them off," he said.

Likewise the horse's owner Clive Smith, the lucky man whose colours continue to be carried with such distinction by two-time Gold Cup winner Kauto Star.

He lifted both arms into the air as Master Minded pinged the last. "I think he has got a great chance again of winning the Champion Chase if nothing goes wrong," Smith said. "He looked absolutely brilliant.

"Even in the pre-parade ring we just watched him strut around as if he owned the place and we felt he was right back to his best in himself and he showed it on the course."

With Master Minded in such vintage form, it is difficult to assess the form of Ferdy Murphy's unplaced Kalahari King whose preparations were interrupted by the snow and having to gallop on Redcar beach to stay fit.

"The nine-year-old was running on at the end, suggesting a longer trip – probably the Ryanair Chase – will be the target at the National Hunt Festival for the West Witton-trained horse.

Even that two-and-a-half mile test will be formidable. For 35 minutes after Master Minded lit up Cheltenham, the Nicholls-trained Poquelin defied the history books, and top weight, to become the only horse to land the Vote AP Gold Cup twice following his win last year.

"He won't go for handicaps now – he'll go straight for the Ryanair again," said the trainer.

Nicholls's Sam Winner is as low as 3-1 favourite for the Triumph Hurdle in March after his success while Woolcombe Folly is an emerging Champion Chase contender after landing the Jenny Mould Memorial Handicap Chase.

Nicholls had to settle for third in the StanJames.com International Hurdle when his highly-regarded Silviniaco Conti trailed Cue Card and the impressive winner Menorah who was given an inspired ride by Richard Johnson.

The winner of this year's Supreme Novices, he will clearly be a major player in next year's Champion Hurdle.

Winning trainer Philip Hobbs said: "He was a little short of room round the last bend, but he showed a very good turn of

foot.

A day of odds-on favourites solidifying their position at the head of the market for a Festival contest continued when Time For Rupert (10-11) remained unbeaten over the bigger obstacles – the RSA Chase is his target.

Alan King has an abundance of riches in the staying hurdling department, with Karabak now World Hurdle-bound after landing the Relkeel Hurdle under a power-packed Tony McCoy ride.

But, with the thaw relenting, this was a day that will be remembered for the poetic jumping and galloping of Master Minded.