Master heads Champion 14

Hat-trick seeking Master Minded will face a maximum of 13 rivals in the Seasons Holidays Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham on Wednesday.

The French-bred showed he had recovered from a broken rib by cruising to victory in last month's Game Spirit Chase at Newbury, despite a terrible mistake at the final fence.

Next week, the seven-year-old will bid to emulate Badsworth Boy, who won the two-mile showpiece three times from 1983 to 1985.

His trainer Paul Nicholls is also responsible for Twist Magic, who has been in fine form this season after landing the Tingle Creek and Victor Chandler Chase.

Free World, who carries the Clive Smith colours worn by Master Minded, is a third Nicholls' entry.

Forpadydeplasterer and Kalahari King were first and second in the Arkle Trophy last March and have graduated from the novice ranks in great style this winter.

Tom Cooper, trainer of the former, is hoping for a bold show after initially ruling his charge out of the race earlier in the year.

"I am very happy with Forpadydeplasterer at the moment, he is fit, fresh and well," said Cooper.

"He had a setback but he is well over it now. We are going to Cheltenham without a run but I don't think that should be a problem.

"I think the Tingle Creek was a great effort on that ground - he had good horses behind him.

"On Wednesday, better ground will help him, without a doubt.

"He is a course and distance winner and he is going back there with a huge chance."

Big Zeb and Well Chief are seasoned campaigners, as is Newmill, winner of the race in 2006.

Completing the acceptors are Barker, Cornas, Golden Silver, Mahogany Blaze, Oh Crick and Petit Robin.