Master class at Ascot

Master Minded had no trouble in landing the cramped odds of 1-4 in the Grade One Victor Chandler Chase at Ascot.

Paul Nicholls’ superstar was expected to win as he liked and the six-year-old even had to make his own running.

He put in some fantastic leaps under Ruby Walsh down the back straight and when the five-runner field entered Swinley Bottom, Master Minded put his rivals to the sword and scooted clear.

Petit Robin tried to lay up with the current Champion Chaser in the early stages but Barry Geraghty soon realised that was a fruitless task.

For a brief moment David Pipe’s new recruit Or Noir De Somoza looked threatening but he was tapped for toe from the third-last onwards.

In the end Walsh only had to nudge him out to gain a 16-length success over Petit Robin.

Victor Chandler cut the winner to 1-3 from 4-9 favourite to win a second Queen Mother Champion Chase in March.

Walsh said: "He's better than a machine, he's an aeroplane.

“The way he jumps is amazing, he can jump high into the air and not lose any ground.

“I wasn’t sure how I was going turning into the straight but I gave him a squeeze and he kicked into another gear and I was half sorry I did that. He’s an incredible horse to ride, everything is so easy for him.

“It’s great to be back on board him, I’d rather be riding him than watching him, that’s for sure.”

Delighted owner Clive Smith said: "That was tremendous, absolutely unbelievable. I hear he is now 1-3 favourite for the Champion Chase and he deserves to be after that performance.

“I was pleased to see him pull seven lengths clear into the straight and I was really excited by his performance.

“He put in a couple of exuberant jumps but that did not seem to worry him. He gained lengths and has the speed to take them on.

“Ruby said this is the distance for him although I hope he can go further later.

“We will try for the Game Spirit at Newbury next but Cheltenham is the main objective.”