Master Minded the star at Aintree

After yesterday´s shock defeat of Kauto Star on Aintree´s opening day, it is up to stable-companion Master Minded (Paul Nicholls/ Ruby Walsh) to restore the stable´s honour in the Melling Chase (Grade One) over 2 1/2 miles at 16.10 this afternon. His performance in defeating Voy por Ustedes 19 lengths in Cheltenha´s Champion Chase was the best seen in a British or Irish jumps race for many years.

That was over 2 miles, but there seems no reason to doubt that he will be troubled by the extra difference. Voy por Ustedes (Alan King/ Robert Thornton) tries again and might get closer, while Tamarinbleu (David Pipe/ Tom Scudamore), well below form at Cheltenham, should also fare better, especially if he is gven an easy lead. However defeat for Master Minded today would be the shock of the season. The other Grade One race at Aintree today is the novice hurdle over 3 miles at 15.35, in which the muc h improved Tazbar (Keith Reveley/Phil Kinsella) will start a clear favourite. He is facing much tougher opposition this time, but the style of his last 3 wins suggests that he is well up to this task.

Nenuphar Collonges (Alan King/ Robert Thornton) won at Cheltenham, with 4 of thse behind, including The Tother One (Nicholls/ Walsh) in third and Gone to Lunch (Scott/ McCoy) fifth, while Peter Bowen´s Souffleur (Tom O´Brien) ran a good race on the flat recently but before that finished 60 lengths behind Tazbar at Haydock.

Our choice:
1. Race: Albertas Run - Big Buck`s - Roll Along
2. Race: Tazbar - Nenuphar Collonges - The Tother One
3. Race: Master Minded - Monet`s Garden - Voy Por Ustedes
4. Race: Natal - Nacarat - Randwick Roar
5. Race: Captain Cee Bee - Songe - Pierrot Lunaire
6. Race: Kings Euro - State Of Play - Mister Top Notch
7. Race: Sallie`s Secret - Cait Ni Chaonaigh - Carole`s Legacy