Master Minded gets back on track

The seven-year-old disappointed when bidding for a third successive Champion Chase at Cheltenham in the spring, but repaired his reputation with a fine display in the Amlin 1965 Chase – a race that saw Tony McCoy suffer a crashing fall from Albertas Run.

His next target is the Tingle Creek at Sandown on December 4, which he ran away with in 2008.

"You wouldn't know Master Minded had raced," Nicholls said yesterday.

"He will go for the Tingle Creek with Twist Magic. I haven't spoken to Andy Stewart (owner) about Tataniano yet, but it could be that we sidestep Sandown and go to the Desert Orchid Chase at the Kempton Boxing Day meeting."

Elsewhere it was a mixed day for the champion trainer.

He enjoyed further success at Ascot with Silviniaco Conti and Woolcombe Folly, while at Haydock Toubab impressed but What A Friend, co-owned by Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, disappointed in the Betfair Chase behind Gold Cup winner Imperial Commander.

"Woolcombe Folly may go to Cheltenham next for a two-mile handicap chase," Nicholls continued.

"Depending on what the handicapper does, Toubab could go for a 150k handicap hurdle at Ascot on Long Walk Hurdle day. His two main targets are the Supreme (Novices' Hurdle) at Cheltenham and Aintree.

"What A Friend was clearly our big weekend disappointment but I think the ground was softer than advertised at Haydock. It was very gluey and testing and he hated it, but he clearly has it all to prove now.

"In fact, I have given him an entry for the Lexus this morning, a race he won last year, although he is still in the King George."

Dual winner Denman heads 20 horses standing their ground in the Hennessy Gold Cup that Newbury stages on Saturday.

Paul Barber's 10-year-old, trained by Nicholls, carried top weight of 11st 12lb to victory in 2007 and 2009 and is again saddled with that lofty burden as he attempts to become the first horse to win this prestigious handicap chase for a third time.

Only six other horses are in the handicap proper and they include his stablemates Neptune Collonges (10st 8lb) and Taranis (10st 4lb).

The remaining four are the Mouse Morris-trained China Rock (10st 4lb), David Pipe's 2008 winner Madison de Berlais (10st 1lb), The Queen's Barbers Shop (10st) and Silver By Nature (10st) from Lucinda Russell's stable.

Nicholls has two other possibles in The Tother One and Niche Market while Barbers Shop's trainer Nicky Henderson also has Burton Port.

North Yorkshire trainer Ferdy Murphy has left in Big Fella Thanks, who used to be in the Nicholls camp.

Henderson, meanwhile, is growing increasingly worried the weather might scupper the planned return of reigning Champion Hurdle hero Binocular at Newcastle on Saturday.

A cold snap is particularly forecast in the north east, but Henderson dearly wants to get the JP McManus-owned gelding back in action in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle.

The six-year-old enjoyed a torrid first half to the last campaign that included an odds-on reverse in this race.

But he signed off the season with a brilliant display at the Cheltenham Festival and he looks sure to be a hot favourite at Gosforth Park – provided that they race.

"I'm frightened about the weather – it looks horrible," said Henderson.