held up, headway to go 2nd 4 out, weakened approaching last
with leader, led 4th, clear 2 out, easily
held up, mistakes, lost place 4th, weakened 9th
tracked leading pair, mistake 8th, ridden and mistake 3 out, weakened 2 out
led, headed 4th, jumped left 5th and 6th and mistake, outpaced when mistake 3 out, rallied to take 2nd last, no chance with winner
MASTER MINDED is the highest rated chaser in training, showed his wellbeing with a smooth success on his reappearance in the Tingle Creek at Sandown last month and he is hard to oppose here, getting the vote ahead of Or Noir De Somoza and Petit Robin. Nicky Henderson's gelding showed improved form for the switch to chasing when winning in good fashion in a handicap at Newbury on his return in November before losing no caste in defeat behind Fiepes Shuffle on his only subsequent outing the following month. Nicky Henderson has his team in great form at present but he would need to put up a career high effort to beat the selection. Paul Nicholls, who trains Master Minded is also represented by Natal but he has the best part of 30lbs to find with his stable companion. Anything trained by Nigel Twiston-Davies always has to be respected but his runner Mahogany Blaze needs to improve dramatically on all known form to trouble the judge and of more interest may be David Pipe's French import Or Noir De Somoza, who makes his British debut today. Pipe can ready one but it will be a surprise if he is good enough to beat Master Minded.
Mahogany Blaze (FR) 8-1 (11-5) In rear, headway when blundered 9th, behind from 4 out, 7th of 10, 33l behind Monet's Garden (11-6) at Huntingdon 2m 4f chs Grd 2 (1) gs in Dec.
Master Minded (FR) 4-7fav (11-7) Narrow lead after 2nd, travelling well and 2 lengths ahead, when left well clear 2 out, unchallenged after, won at Sandown 2m chs Grd 1 (1) gs in Dec beating Tidal Bay (11-7) by 10l, 7 ran.
Natal (FR) 5-2fav (11-12) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, improved to lead 5 out, mistake 3 out and soon headed, ridden in 4th 2 out, soon no extra, 6th of 7, 16l behind Big Zeb (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m 1f chs Grd 1 sft in Dec.
Or Noir De Somoza (FR) (10-8) In touch to 4 out, soon beaten, 9th of 16, 17l behind Princesse D'anjou (10-3) at Auteuil 3m 5f chs Grd 1 (1) gd in May.
Petit Robin (FR) 2-1 (11-4) Raced in 3rd, mistake and chased winner from 7th, driven upsides last, found no extra and held final 100 yards, 2nd of 7, 3/4l behind Fiepes Shuffle (11-0) at Kempton 2m chs Grd 2 (1) gd in Dec.
