Master Minded pleasing at home Master Minded, who rocketed into favouritism with some bookmakers for the Seasons Holidays Queen Mother Champion Chase following his victory at Newbury this month, is reported to have made even more progress at home. Punters were nibbling at the ex-French gelding in the days before he reappeared in the Game Spirit Chase amid news trainer Paul Nicholls had seen a staggering amount of improvement after his victory in a Sandown handicap. Master Minded´s emphatic defeat of current Champion Chase holder Voy Por Ustedes sees him dispute the head of the market with stablemate Twist Magic, the Tingle Creek winner. "He won really well at Newbury and had been doing some sensational work at home," said Nicholls. "For a five-year-old, it was brilliant. I know he was getting 6lb from Voy Por Ustedes but I don´t think that made any difference. "I think he´s possibly improved since then - certainly the guys who ride him out have been absolutely thrilled." Ruby Walsh is expected to partner Master Minded with Sam Thomas aboard Twist Magic, who flopped in testing conditions at Ascot last time. "I should not have run him that day - I won´t be doing that again," said Nicholls. "I have always thought he was a spring horse and the Champion will really suit him. "He really needs good ground and they will go a good gallop, especially if Tamarinbleu and Fair Along run. "I think Master Minded will be put away after the race as he´s so young, while Twist Magic could possibly go to the Punchestown Festival on the Tuesday and then run again at Sandown on the Saturday." Reflecting on jockey bookings, Nicholls said: "Both Sam and Ruby have ridden them both. "It is highly likely Ruby will ride Master Minded, although nothing is set in stone."
