Nicholls hoping for Master class in Victor Chandler

Paul Nicholls is in bullish mood as Master Minded bids to secure yet another Grade One prize in the Victor Chandler Chase at Ascot on Saturday.

The six-year-old earned the tag of the highest-rated National Hunt horse in training when slamming his rivals in the Champion Chase at last year's Cheltenham Festival and seemed as good as ever when coasting to victory in the Tingle Creek on his comeback.

Worryingly for his Ascot rivals, the champion trainer believes his charge is an even fitter horse now and is confident he can stamp his class again at the weekend.

"He's in fine form and the slower the ground the better. I don't think he'll necessarily need to be at his very best, but we'll see tomorrow," said Nicholls.

"I've been very happy with him since Sandown and I think he has improved a bit for the run."

With Master Minded as short as 1-4 for the valuable contest, there have been suggestions in many quarters that the famous race should be returned to handicap status in order to make it more competitive.

However, Nicholls does not see this as a major issue and believes it would have little bearing on the outcome of this year's renewal.

"If it was a handicap I'd have run him, because most of them would be running from out of the handicap and would have a mountain to climb anyway. I doubt it would have changed the betting that much," the trainer continued.

"He has an inflated handicap mark and I would have used that against the others, but when you have these good horses, you have to provide good races for them.

"If he's all right after this the plan is to run in the Game Spirit at Newbury in three weeks time and then go back to Cheltenham, just like he did last year."