Master class in store
Two years ago he produced an extraordinary display to win this contest by 19 lengths, but never subsequently even hinted a performance on a par with that was on the cards.
At least not until Newbury 32 days ago, when Masted Minded seemed to be right back to his imperious best.
Despite making a dreadful blunder at the final fence, the seven-year-old gave 10lbs and a 13 lengths beating to Mahogany Blaze.
Big Zeb won well at Punchestown, Kalahari King scored easily at Doncaster, Twist Magic arrives in the form of his life and Forpadydeplasterer came up the hill last year to take the Arkle.
But the Paul Nicholls yard will not hear of defeat for Master Minded and he has to get the vote.
If Long Run is, as Nicholls is on record as saying, the next Kauto Star, then there can only be one outcome to the RSA Chase.
The former Grade 1 winner in his native country, France, has won his two races in England in style and, obviously, could literally be anything.
I prefer to go with his tried and tested stable companion Punchestowns, however, the mount of Barry Geraghty.
He's a top-class horse, who only gave best to Big Buck's in the World Hurdle here a year ago.
He blundered at the seventh at Sandown last time, but you would have to like the way he recovered and the manner in which he powered clear in the closing stages to beat Tchico Polos by eight lengths.
Dermot Weld is far too talented a trainer not to conquer Cheltenham at some stage and it might as well be today as any other time!
His Rite Of Passage gets the nod in the Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle.
He's won won two ordinary races over flights, but showed his true colours on the flat when storming away with the Leopardstown November Handicap by eight lengths.
Robbie McNamara partners Rite Of Passage and he and Weld can also land the Weatherbys' Champion Bumper with Elegant Concorde.
The Definite Article gelding won cosily at Leopardstown at Christmas and has been greatly pleasing of late in his homework.
