TWENTY-FOUR horses, and all the big names, remain in the reckoning at the latest forfeit stage for next month’s totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Master Minded will face a maximum of 14 rivals when he attempts to land the sportingbet.com Queen Mother Champion Chase for a third time on March 16.

Colm Murphy would still not swap Big Zeb “for anything else” as his stable star builds towards going for back-to-back victories in the sportingbet.com Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham next month

PAUL NICHOLLS reports Master Minded to be in rude health following his impressive return to action at Ascot on Saturday.

Master Minded is right back in the mix for top two-mile honours this term after notching a wide-margin triumph on his seasonal bow at Ascot.

It’s not a great weekend to be missing, with some really good racing and even now, I’m guessing at where I’d be riding today if I was fit. But now I don’t have to make a decision, I’m not going to even try to make a call.

Henry de Bromhead is happy with Sizing Europe ahead of the Irish Independent Arkle Trophy at Cheltenham tomorrow.

I have decided to ride Kauto Star, in preference to Denman, in next month’s Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Alan Fleming instigated a rapid change in fortunes for the Surrey yard he recently took over from Albert Ennis with a winner from his first runner at Huntingdon.

Champion Hurdler Katchit had to settle for second behind Snap Tie on his return to action in the WBX.COM Hurdle at Kempton.