Cheltenham Open meeting: day three

Today is the third and final day of Cheltenham´ s Open meeting and the highlight (although not the main feature) is undoubtedly the clash between Master Minded (Paul Nicholls/ Ruby Walsh) and Well Chief (David Pipe/ Timmy Murphy) in the 2 mile chase at 14.45 CET. Master Minded is the best 2-miler seen for many a year, but Well Chief, the best of many smart German-breds in British and Irish N.H. racing, is not far behind him.

They met in the Champion Chase over this CD last March and Master Minded won by 7 lengths. But Well Chief, who has had his fair share of problems, was having his first run for 2 years and in addition now receives 10 lbs from his rival, so should be a lot closer today. Well Chief has not run since, while Master Minded is also having his first race of the season, so there is the question of race fitness to consider, as well as the very soft ground, which will be to neither of their tastes. While it would be a surprise of neither to the big two win, the chances of Irish raider Newmill (JJ Murphy/ EFPower) and Mahogany Blaze, representing the in-form team of Nigel Twiston-Davies and Paddy Brennan, cannot be totally ignored.

Big betting race is the Greatwood Handicap Hurdle at 15.20, with the usual huge field. The 3 highest-weighted runners Medermit (Alan King/ Robert Thornton), Raise your Heart (Joanna Morgan/ Davy Condon) and German-bred El Dancer (Lucy Wadham/ Leighton Aspell) will all have their supporters, but Harry Tricker (Gary Moore/ Andrew Glassonbury) is the logical favourite here after his stylish win at Sandown last time. There are only 4 runners in the Grade Two novice chase at 14.10, which Paul Nicholls should dominate with his 2 runners Tatatiano (Walsh) and Five Dream (Christian Williams), while Reve de Sivola (Nick Williams/ Daryl Jacob) should go well in the Grade Two novice hurdle at 16.30, having won a similar event easily at Chepstow last time.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Tataniano - Fosters Cross - Five Dream
2. Race: Master Minded - Well Chief - Mahogany Blaze
3. Race: Harry Tricker - Ronaldo des Mottes - James De Vassy
4. Race: Erzen - Balthazar King - Silk Affair
5. Race: Reve De Sivola - Rebel Du Maquis - Tell Massini
6. Race: Lidar - Ghizao - Age Benefit