Master Minded v Somersby at Ascot

It is impossible to be in two places at once, and trainers Paul Nicholls and Nicky Henderson must be wishing that it were, as they both have fancied runners in several races at both Haydock and Ascot. Even more galling must it be for owner Clive Smith, with his two superstars Kauto Star in action at Haydock and Master Minded at Ascot. We expect Kauto to run a big race but are less optimistic about Master Minded, who although younger, appears to be fading, judged on his recent performances. At his best he would obviously win the Amlin 1955 Chase at 15.10 CET at Ascot, a race he won last year, but we are sceptical, even though he is unbeaten in 3 runs at this track. We strongly fancy Somersby (Hanrietta Knight/ Dominic Elsworth), who has been behind the Nicholls chaser on all 3 occasions they have so far met, but ran him to a short head on one occasion last year and we think can finally pull it off today. Medermit (Alan King/ Robert Thornton) could be a threat to both after his lucky win (his leading rivals all fell) in the Haldon Gold Cup, while Kalahari King (Ferdy Murphy/ Graham Lee) can also finish in the money, but we will stick with Somersby.

The Grade Two Coral Hurdle at 15.45 is another strong race, in which Oscar Whisky (Henderson/ Barry Geraghty) will be a hot favourite; he has won 7 of his 9 races and finished an excellent third in the Champion Hurdle. However he has to concede 8 lbs all round, no easy task. The much improved King of the Night (Nicholls/ Daryl Jacob), who has a nice German pedigree, is a definite threat, as is front-runner Overturn (Donald McCain/ Jason Maguire).

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Mush Mir - Deireadh Re - Bowntobebad
2. Race: Bounds And Leaps - Graduation Night - Ballagio
3. Race: Benefique - Lady Karinga - Synthe Davis
4. Race: Master Minded - Somersby - Medermit
5. Race: Oscar Whisky - Overturn - King Of The Night
6. Race: Anquetta - Dan Breen - Takeroc
7. Race: Population - Harry Topper - Be All Man