Smith still hailing his master

Clive Smith believes the best is yet to come from dual Queen Mother Champion Chase winner Master Minded, who is poised to make his seasonal debut in the Amlin 1965 Chase at Ascot on Saturday.

The Paul Nicholls-trained seven-year-old will make his first appearance since finishing fourth to Big Zeb when attempting to win the Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival for a third successive year.

Master Minded, who underwent a breathing operation in the summer, will be ridden by Noel Fehily for the first time because regular rider Ruby Walsh is injured.

And while admitting he is "not sure" if he can win beyond two miles and two furlongs for the first time, his owner says his preparation has gone smoothly for the Grade 2 event over 2m 3f.

Smith said: "Master Minded is still a young horse. He won the Champion Chase at five and six and he's only just getting going now. Hopefully he can reclaim the title.

"We think he is better than last year. He had an indifferent campaign, suffering a cracked rib which caused him to jump to the right in the Connaught Chase at Cheltenham.