held up, chased leaders in 3rd approaching 9th, disputed lead approaching 3 out, not fluent and headed 2 out, soon beaten
chased leaders, hit 9th, soon weakened
chased leader, blundered 4th, outpaced from 11th
led, headed approaching 3 out, soon weakened
held up, chased leaders when mistake 4 out, disputed lead approaching 3 out, led 2 out, soon clear
held up, hit 2nd, pushed along 8th, hit 10th, soon weakened
Master Minded can hammer another nail into the bookies' coffin by becoming the third winning favourite of the afternoon. Voy Por Ustedes can chase him home once again. The selection was electric at Cheltenham and led the hacks to exhaust their range of superlatives. He travelled supremely well that day and is the best horse in racing according to the official figures. There is a slight question mark over this longer trip but he won over 2 miles 2 in France and travels so well that we can't envisage it being a problem. Voy Por Ustedes appeared to run up to his best at Cheltenham and connections offered no excuses for his defeat. He has long looked as though he would appreciate this step up in trip but it may still not be enough to reverse last month's form. Monet's Garden would be a live threat if allowed to take his chance as he's ideally suited by the demands of this test but he can't live with the very best of the game and Master Minded is firmly in that category. Tamarinbleu threw in a rare bad run at Cheltenham when taken on for the lead. He's better than that but is playing for place money barring accidents. There are slight doubts about the selection making a quick reappearance and with regard to his stamina but Master Minded won't be beaten if he runs to his best.
Master Minded (FR) 3-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, headway 5th, challenged 7th, led next, quickened clear between last 2, impressive, won at Cheltenham 2m chs Grd 1 (1) gs in Mar beating Voy Por Ustedes (11-10) by 19l, 8 ran.
Mister McGoldrick 66-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, led 10th, clear 2 out, pushed out, won at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs in Mar beating Gwanako (10-12) by 13l, 22 ran.
Newmill (IRE) 40-1 (11-10) Held up, mistake 1st, reminder approaching 5th, headway 7th, beaten after 4 out, 5th of 8, 44l behind Master Minded (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m chs Grd 1 (1) gs in Mar.
Tamarinbleu (FR) 7-2 (11-10) Led to 2nd, chased leader, mistake 7th, weakened next, 7th of 8, well behind Master Minded (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m chs Grd 1 (1) gs in Mar.
Voy Por Ustedes (FR) 5-2fav (11-10) Held up, headway 5th, not fluent 7th or 8th, chased winner approaching 4 out, beaten soon after 2 out, 2nd of 8, 19l behind Master Minded (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m chs Grd 1 (1) gs in Mar.
Yes Sir (IRE) 25-1 (11-1) In touch, ridden 13th, weakened 3 out, 8th of 14, 18l behind Vodka Bleu (10-13) at Cheltenham 2m 5f lst hcp chs (1) gs in Jan.
Monet's Garden (IRE) 6-1 (11-7) Held up mid-division, headway 10th, soon chasing leaders, effort approaching 2 out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 9, 8l behind Kauto Star (11-7) at Ascot 2m 5f chs Grd 1 (1) gd in Feb.
