racing_news/

Master Minded Masterful in Amlin 1965 Chase
19/11/11

1 Master Minded 2/1J
2 Somersby 2/1J
3 Medermit 100/30
6 ran Distances: 3l, 9l, 28l
TIME 4m 38.65s (slow by 2.65s)

Master Minded showed a real spring in his step as he returned to form with a second successive victory in the Amlin 1965 Chase at Ascot.

Somersby (D Elsworth, left) leads from winner Master Minded (D Jacob)
© Racehorse Photos

Ridden for the first time by Daryl Jacob, the dual Champion Chase hero, who was a big disappointment on his seasonal debut at Aintree, had old rival Somersby for company at the business end of the race.

The 2-1 joint-favourites were together at the second-last, but Master Minded proved the stronger and forged clear to score well by three lengths, with Medermit third.

Trainer Paul Nicholls watched the race from Haydock, where he confirmed the target for Master Minded is the William Hill King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day.

He said: "The ground looked quick enough for him. I'm chuffed. A lot of people were quick to write him off after Aintree. I knew he would improve and I tried to explain to everybody he would.

"He has improved and he will still improve for Kempton, where we want him at his very best. He wouldn't win any King George if he was at his best the first day.

"He is slightly better right-handed. Daryl gave him a peach of a ride, which is as important as anything for him. We are back where we want to be."

Jacob added: "Paul, the owners and everyone at the yard have been very supportive of me and have given me every opportunity. It's nice to repay them with a good winner like today.

"He travelled great and I thought they nearly went too slow for me all the way. They quickened up and I've got accelerating going down the hill - he jumped great and picked up well going to the second-last to go away and win the race.

"He definitely wants two and a half miles plus now. He's got a high cruising speed and will keep going and pick up off it as well."

Position	Horse Trainer	Jockey Weight	Starting Price Beaten Distance
1	Master Minded P F Nicholls	D A Jacob 11st 11lbs	2 - 1 Winner
2	Somersby Miss H C Knight	D Elsworth 11st 7lbs	2 - 1 3 lengths
3	Medermit A King	R Thornton 11st 7lbs	10 - 3 9 lengths
4	The Sawyer R H Buckler	A Glassonbury 11st 1lbs	100 - 1 28 lengths
5	Stagecoach Pearl Mrs S J Smith	J M Maguire 11st 5lbs	12 - 1 18 lengths
PulledUp	Kalahari King Ferdy Murphy	G Lee 11st 1lbs	15 - 2