Master Minded and Zaynar at Ascot!

if anything, the card at Ascot is even stronger than at Haydock, with two top features and the supporting races also very competitive. Main event is the Amlin 1965 Chase over 2 miles 3 furlongs at 15.05 CET which sees the return of Master Minded (Paul Nicholls/ Noel Fehily), who has not been seen since his odds-on flop in the Champion Chase at Cheltenham. Even if he is excused that defeat, he is possibly still vulnerable over a trip which could be too far, and Alberta ´s Run (Jonjo O´Neill/ Tony McCoy) is certainly a tough opponent, and racing over his best distance; he won this last year and prefers this race to the Betfair Chase at Haydock. I´msingingtheblues (David Pipe/ Danny Cook) was beaten here in February by Panjo Bere (Gary and Josh Moore), but is much better off at the weights this time and can prove the main danger to the two favourites.

The other main feature is the Coral Hurdle over 2 1/2 miles at 15.35, and here again we have a hot favourite who has blotted his copybook - and also won the corresponding race last year. Zaynar (Nicky Henderson/ Barry Geraghty) - who can forget his defeat at 14-1 on last spring at Kelso?- has otherwise done little wrong. Connections are aiming him at the World Hurdle, although he is unproven over that distance, but obviously today´s trip is ideal. When he won last year he had Karabak (Alan King/ Tony McCoy) 6 lengths back in second, but the latter is now 6 lbs better off and could be little in it today. CD specialist Lough Derg (Pipe/ Hadden Frost) is running in this race for the 5th time, but seems well held on form, but the unbeaten Silviniaco Conti (Nicholls/ Fehily) is clearly a tough opponent, although he has never yet raced against such strong opposition.

The other races look very tricky, but we hope that German-bred Noble Alan (Nicky Richards/ Brian Harding), can win the handicap chase at 16.10. Once again the Nicholls/ Fehily team supply the main danger in Woolconbe Folly , who has won 7 of his 13 starts but has been off since April.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Rebel Rebellion - Jurisdiction - Representingceltic
2. Race: Royal Collonges - Arturo Uno - Victory Parade
3. Race: Naughty Naughty - Detroit Red - Am I Blue
4. Race: Master Minded - Albertas Run - I`Msingingtheblues
5. Race: Zaynar - Silviniaco Conti - Karabak
6. Race: Noble Alan - Woolcombe Folly - Cockney Trucker
7. Race: Ericht - Lord Liath - Twentyfourcarat