Master Minded has only to turn up and jump round Ascot's 2m course to collect the Victor Chandler Chase (2.15) on Saturday. The sponsors make him a 1/4 shot to do just that so we're not going to get rich backing him, but they're also betting without the jolly (along with Totesport) and PETIT ROBIN is worth a punt at 6/4 as he should be odds-on in my opinion.
Nicky Henderson's lightly-raced gelding won two chases in France in 2007 and absolutely hacked up on his British handicap debut in November - with hindsight he was a good thing that day off a mark of 132. It was therefore disappointing to see him beat at Kempton over Christmas. However, the winner, Fiepes Shuffle, is no mug and Petit Robin may have had too much use made of him, so I'm sure he will be ridden much more patiently this time, which should see him fill the runner-up spot with a bit to spare.
The rest are headed by Or Noir De Somoza, who was a decent horse in France and is having his first start for David Pipe (two winners from two runners on Tuesday - a stable to follow again?) on Saturday. The yard sent out Tamarinbleu to upset odds-on favourite Twist Magic in last year's race, but history is unlikely to be repeated as the seven-year-old has done all his winning over 2m4f and even his trainer concedes that he is running over a trip short of his best. Still, it'll be interesting to see how he does run as he's got multiple entries at Cheltenham including the Gold Cup, for which he's a best-priced 25/1 with Skybet.
It could be a red letter day for Master Minded's trainer and jockey, Paul Nicholls and Ruby Walsh, as they have excellent chances of at least a treble with MAHONIA (3.55), who can make up for his disappointing effort at Cheltenham last time when not enough use was made of his stamina on Walsh's first ride back from injury, and FREE WORLD (1.40), who was mugged on the line at Sandown last time by Araldur, officially the top-rated novice chaser in Britain
Recommended Bets:
Petit Robin (w/o Master Minded) 2pts @ 6/4 Totesport
Mahonia / Free World 1pt win double @ best morning-line prices