Master Minded pushed all the way

Although the Clive Smith-owned eight-year-old lost his Queen Mother Champion Chase crown to Big Zeb last March, there appeared to be valid excuses for the defeat given he had a rib injury for most of last season and has since undergone a breathing operation.

While it may seem folly to claim a horse unbeaten in three runs is not at his best, Somersby pushed him all the way.

A four-length advantage at the final fence shrunk to a short head at the line, with champion trainer Paul Nicholls a relieved man.

"I was disappointed initially because turning in I thought he was going to go away and win quite nice," said Nicholls.

"And then I was thinking something obviously isn't quite right with the way the horses are running.

"I said that to AP (McCoy) but he wasn't having any of that, he just said he gave him a bad ride – his words, not mine."

McCoy added: ""He did well to win.

"They went a real good gallop early on and at Swinley Bottom he came back on the bridle and I let him run when I shouldn't have done – I should have sat and let him fill up more.

"But he's a very good horse, he got a bit tried on the ground and he probably idled a bit."

There was a warm reception for veteran trainer Pat Rodford as his Sparky May turned in an excellent performance in the 1942 Was A Vintage Year Mares' Hurdle.

In beating Nicky Henderson's Carole's Legacy, arguably the most consistent mare in England and second in the David Nicholson last season, Sparky May set herself up for a tilt at the Festival race.

Rodford said: "Just occasionally you get a horse that defies all logic and here you have one.

"We will now go for the David Nicholson race at Cheltenham."

There were more noteworthy Cheltenham clues at Leopardstown yesterday as the mighty Hurricane Fly further enhanced his Champion Hurdle claims.

Willie Mullins's ultra-talented hurdler remains unbeaten this season after readily confirming his superiority over old nemesis Solwhit in the BHP Insurances Irish Champion Hurdle.

Mullins said: "I think he'll go straight to Cheltenham now.

"I haven't any other plans for him. I'm delighted to get that over with. It's our first Irish Champion Hurdle success so I'm going to enjoy it."

Realt Dubh, meanwhile, just edged out Noble Prince in a tremendous finish to the Frank Ward Solicitors Arkle Novice Chase.

There was nothing between the two from the final fence, but it was the Noel Meade-trained Realt Dubh, ridden by Paul Carberry, who was a short head to the good at the line.

n Wetherby anticipate no problems despite playing safe by calling a precautionary inspection at 8am ahead of today's meeting.

The West Yorkshire track is currently raceable and as long as the forecast is accurate then the fixture should go ahead without a hitch.

"We'd be raceable today, but we've got minus 1C forecast from about 3am to about 6.30am and then we've got plus 4C or 5C, so if that's accurate I don't envisage any trouble," said clerk of the course Jonjo Sanderson.

"We've had minus 1C forecast over the last few days they have turned out to be minus 4C and 5C. If we got any of that severity then it might cause us some issues so I just wanted to put one in place to be able to act if we need to."

n Big Bay can arrest a lengthy losing spell with victory in the Book Racing Post Chase Day Handicap at Kempton.

It is quite some time since he managed to finish just a short head behind superstar Harbinger on his racecourse bow and while he is evidently not of that calibre, he is now lining up off his lowest ever mark.

Following that debut effort, Big Bay took a further four runs to get off the mark, although one of those defeats was in the ultra-competitive Britannia Handicap at Royal Ascot.

That victory at Nottingham and a follow-up success over this course and distance have proved the pinnacle of his career so far, with Big Bay out of luck in seven subsequent outings.

However, that lack of success has seen him drop from a perch of 92 to his current mark of 80 and his falling rating has seen him regain a little form.

Most recently third at Kempton, Big Bay is not the easiest of rides but he has ability and with Seamie Heffernan on board, he has a more than capable pilot.