2011 Victor Chandler Chase All About Master Minded

One of the premier chasing events over the 2m or so distance kicks off this weekend as a number of talented contenders line up for the Victor Chandler Chase at Ascot. First won by Desert Orchid back in 1989, the race has been a major reference for the likes of Tamarinbleu, Master Minded and the dearly-departed Twist Magic.

A quick glance at the antepost market shows no genuine surprises as nearly every time Master Minded is on the sheet, he’s priced at odds-on. Punters will find the Paul Nicholls-trained bay trading as low as 1/2 for the outright victory and it’s clear that most of the action going his way will be placed in the forecast and exacta markets.

Master Minded has already been out twice this year and he’ll be looking to make a major statement before the festival season starts as he is, undoubtedly, the best 2m chaser in the business. His seasonal debut was over the Ascot surface when he was sent off at 5/6 and he disposed of a smaller field with relative ease, though it should be noted he achieved his lowest rating since March of 2008.

Question marks have now emerged over top of Somersby and there is a distinct chance that the Henrietta Knight charge could be steered elsewhere. Master Minded got the better of him last time out at Cheltenham in the Tingle Creek. Somersby hovers around 7/1 with most major bookmakers though prices are beginning to fluctuate.

Petit Robin is in the mix here and Nicky Henderson’s contender finished second in the aforementioned Tingle Creek. Best of the rest, surely, but he has never bested Master Minded and will likely be relying on an error to have any plausible chance of victory. He does like the Ascot surface and has finished second in both career attempts over course. Petit Robin can be backed as high as 9/1.

There is a distinct chance that Paul Nicholls could also saddle the up-and-coming Tchico Polos for this encounter and he deserves respect as he’s put in a few great shifts in the past calendar year. Master Minded running mistake-free will topple Tchico, but there is no reason why most won’t consider him a strong play in the forecast/exacta markets or place-only markets.