Master Minded ready for debut Paul Nicholls has warned Master Minded is likely to improve for the run as he makes his seasonal reappearance in the Amlin 1965 Chase at Ascot on Saturday. The seven-year-old has his first start since suffering defeat when chasing a hat-trick of wins in the Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. He steps up in trip to the best part of two and a half miles this weekend, and his trainer admits he is in the dark as to whether the distance will prove beyond him. "We'll know a lot more after he's run on Saturday, but he's got a lot in his favour," said Nicholls. "He's going right-handed and whether he'll stay or not is open to debate. "I think he'll come on for it, but he's well ready to have his run." With regular partner and stable jockey Ruby Walsh sidelined by injury, Master Minded will have a new pilot this weekend in Noel Fehily. Fehily has been standing in for Walsh to good effect over the past couple of weeks and the champion trainer is delighted with how things are going. "He's very similar to Ruby and very quiet on the horses," Nicholls said. "He's in his 30's and has a lot of experience of dealing with people and dealing with horses, and that's what you need in these situations. "He's fitted in nicely and we're obviously very happy with the way it's going." Master Minded features among a final field of six runners with last year's winner Albertas Run lining up in preference to heading to Haydock for the Betfair Chase. Chaninbar, Panjo Bere, I'msingingtheblues and Kinkeel complete the line-up.
