Legendary trainer Paul Nicholls has admitted that he believes Master Minded is more than capable of bouncing back to form after it emerged the dual Champion Chase hero had suffered a broken rib.

The six-year-old ran well below-par on his seasonal reappearance in the Connaught Chase last month and after hanging right for the whole race, it was clear that something was amiss with the superstar.

Closer inspection has revealed his injury and now the trainer has identified the Game Spirit Chase at Newbury on February 13 as a possible comeback date, before a defence of his Champion Chase crown.

"Obviously he was hanging during the race and even two days after the race, just walking round the village, he was hanging," said Nicholls.

"We sent him off for a bone scan which revealed a hot spot, showing he had a fractured rib.

"That explains it all and it was obviously a brave effort to run as well as he did.

"He just needs a month now to get over that and he is still doing three hours walking a day, which is a lot of mileage, you just can't ride him.

"There is every chance he'll be back to run in the Game Spirit, but if not, definitely the Champion Chase," the trainer continued.

"There is no reason why we can't get him back to his best."

Master Minded has been eased in the Queen Mother Champion Chase market as a result of his injury, follow this link to Boylesports to check the current market and get a free bet on Cheltenham 2010.