UK racing Sunday

Master Minded and Hurricane Fly return


THE favourites for the Champion Chase and Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle make their seasonal debuts on Sunday as Master Minded and Hurricane Fly return at Cheltenham and Punchestown respectively.

The finest two-mile chaser of the modern era meets a horse who once came close to the same billing when Master Minded takes on Well Chief in the Connaught Chase at Cheltenham.

Seven lengths separated the two giants when Master Minded beat Well Chief into second in last season's Queen Mother Champion Chase, and with Master Minded - rated as high as 186 following his first Champion Chase success in 2008 - now required to concede 10lb to his rival, victory is far from guaranteed.



Owner Clive Smith, whose other chasing heavyweight, Kauto Star, returns at Haydock on Saturday, said: "At this stage of the season, I'm full of anticipation, and with Master Minded, I'm wondering if he'll be right back to his all-time best.

"It's a tough race for him to start back in, and, as Paul [Nicholls] has said, if ever there was a time he could be beaten, it's in this race."

Ruby Walsh rides Master Minded rather than staying in Ireland to partner Hurricane Fly, who will instead have Paul Townend on board.

Willie Mullins's triple Grade 1 winner steps out of novice company against three rivals in the Grade 1 Dobbins & Madigans at Punchestown Hurdle.

Mullins would prefer better ground for Hurricane Fly and said: "It's a case of so far so good with him. It's not ideal for his first run back but we'll take our chance. I've been happy with his preparation."

Cheltenham also stages the first major handicap hurdle of the season on Sunday, the £100,000 Greatwood Handicap Hurdle.

Trainer Gary Moore won the Grade 3 event last year with Numide and has likely favourite Harry Tricker and Gee Dee Nen this time.

Moore said: "Gee Dee Nen is in very good order and ran very well first time.

"I think that form is strong, but the ground is a problem and if it is heavyhe won't run.

"Harry Tricker did very well when winning at Sandown last week and comes to the race in good form, although this is a different ball game. My main concern is the ground and he would not want extremes."

Sure i saw an interview with Nicholls saying that he has left plenty in Masterminded and will need it a bit,surely will still be too good.

His win at cheltenham 2 years ago was the best performance i have seen in my life time from a national hunt horse.

Todays Card from Cheltenham

Tataniano and Master for an early double

For the zim fans there is 2 horses called Zimbabwe running in the UK today

Great Run from Well Chief,how good a horse would he have been without the Injuries?

Festival shake-up after day of shock results


BINOCULAR is the new ante-post favourite for the Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle after a shock defeat for Hurricane Fly at Punchestown on Sunday.

On a day of upheaval in Cheltenham Festival markets, Big Zeb was another big mover without having run as defeat for Master Minded at Cheltenham shook up the market for the Seasons Holidays Queen Mother Champion Chase.

At the start of the day Hurricane Fly was as short as 5-2 favourite for the Champion Hurdle next March; yet after a tame defeat when only third to Solwhit, the three-time Grade 1 winner was as big as 11-2 third favourite with Paddy Power and was eased with all the major firms.

Solwhit shot up the Champion Hurdle market as a result of his eye-catching victory, with Totesport halving his odds to 4-1, while he shares favouritism with Binocular, last year's third, with William Hill.

The biggest move for Binocular was with Boylesports and Victor Chandler, both 5-1 before racing and 7-2 at the close of play.

Big Zeb is down to 100-30 second favourite (from 4) with Totesport and 7-2 (from 6) with Coral for the Champion Chase after a disappointing seasonal debut from Master Minded, who has won the race for the past two seasons.

His conqueror Well Chief was cut to 6-1 (from 16) by Ladbrokes for the Champion Chase after winning the inaugural running of the Connaught Chase, with Mahogany Blaze in second and Master Minded third. All three are expected to meet in the Grade 1 Seasons Holidays Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown next month.

Well Chief was also trimmed in price for the William Hill King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day. Stan James go 14-1 (from 33) while the race sponsors are 16-1 (from 33).

Master Minded retains favouritism for the Champion Chase but at a best-priced 7-4, having been as short as 4-6 before the Connaught Chase.

Sizing Europe and Tataniano share favouritism at 5-1 for the Irish Independent Arkle Trophy Chase at Cheltenham in March after both won novice chases no Sunday.

Most other firms have Tataniano at longer odds than Sizing Europe, who is generally a point clear of Crack Away Jack in the ante-post market.

Early signs good' as fragile Chief walks sound


WELL CHIEF was walking sound on Monday and David Pipe reported that the "early signs are good" for the fragile-legged chaser who toppled Master Minded at Cheltenham onSunday.

Pipe said: "Well Chief seems fine at this early stage. He did cut the inside of a leg during the race, and that received treatment from the vet at Cheltenham prior to his journey home."

If all continues to be well with the lightly raced ten-year-old he will have a rematch with Master Minded, this time off level weights, in the Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown on December 5.

Pipe added: "The Tingle Creek comes soon enough, but it is the obvious next race for him and therefore we'll definitely be looking at it."

Well Chief was receiving 10lb from the champion chaserwhen beating him into third in the Connaught Chase at Cheltenham