Four take on the Master

Just four horses will take on Master Minded in the Victor Chandler Chase at Ascot on Saturday.

Paul Nicholls' star has scared off much of the opposition for the two mile feature after a devastating return to action in the Tingle Creek last month.

The six-year-old will be joined by stablemate Natal while the most interesting contender is David Pipe's French import Or Noir De Somoza, who will be having his first race on British soil.

Desert Orchid Chase runner-up Petit Robin will bid to continue Nicky Henderson's fantastic run of form, while the Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained Mahogany Blaze completes the small but select field.

Master Minded is already a very short price to land a second successive Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham in March after a thrilling victory in the race 12 months ago.

"He's in very good shape at home and we are hoping he will be pretty good on Saturday," said owner Clive Smith.

"Obviously we are around 1-4 with the bookmakers so you would be disappointed if he didn't win - but it is a ridiculous price really.

"Petit Robin ran very well at Kempton last time and he looks a very good horse. David's (Pipe) horse is difficult to assess but I think he has won a million euros on the French circuit so he must be quite good.

"Master Minded wasn't over extended to win the Tingle Creek and we know he can run better than that so I'm pretty hopeful.

"We have no worries about the ground either so I'm just really looking forward to it."