Cheltenham Festival Shortest Priced Favourite is Master Minded

A total of 14 horses go forward in the day’s feature race, the £320,000 Grade One Seasons Holidays Queen Mother Champion Chase (3.20pm) headed by reigning champion Master Minded, who destroyed his rivals with a stunning 19-length victory 12 months ago.

The Paul Nicholls-trained six-year-old, unbeaten this season, is set to be the shortest-priced favourite of the 2009 Festival and his main opposition could be dual Grade One scorer Big Zeb, one of three Irish-trained entries remaining, last year’s The Irish Independent Arkle Challenge Trophy hero Tidal Bay, and Well Chief, who was runner-up in this race in 2005 and fell when well fancied in 2007 but has not run for nearly two years.

The Nicky Henderson-trained Petit Robin may re-oppose Master Minded having finished second to the champion in the Victor Chandler Chase at Ascot in January, while Andrew Balding has left in Briareus, who was fourth to another Clive Smith-owned chaser, Kauto Star, on his latest appearance in the King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day.

Other notable acceptors include the 2006 Seasons Holidays Queen Mother Champion Chase victor Newmill, Victor Chandler Chase third Mahogany Blaze, Punchestown Champion Chase winner Twist Magic and Grade Two scorer Scotsirish from the yard of Willie Mullins.

Other Cheltenham Festival News

04 Mar 2009	Champion Hurdle sees Binocular go for £200,000 Bonus
03 Mar 2009	Cappa Bleu Leading Fancy For Foxhunter Chase is Amongst 43 Entries
03 Mar 2009	Maestro Mullins Holds Secret For Champion Bumper
03 Mar 2009	Master Minded Could Be Shortest Price Queen Mother Chase Favourite Since Flyingbolt
02 Mar 2009	2009 RSA Chase Tips And Preview
02 Mar 2009	The Ballymore Properties Hurdle 2009 Tips And Preview
02 Mar 2009	Cheltenham Festival Non Runner No Bet Bookmakers Offer
26 Feb 2009	Whiteoak Heads the Mares Hurdle Betting
26 Feb 2009	13 Champion Bumper Entries From the Willie Mullins Stable
25 Feb 2009	Cheltenham Gold Cup Looks Good For Kauto Star