Master Minded powers to Chase win

Master Minded gave Ruby Walsh his first 2008 Festival winner

Master Minded and Ruby Walsh put in an outstanding display to win the Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham.

It was a superb performance by the 3-1 chance who was barely troubled throughout and went on to triumph by a massive 19 lengths.

Ruby Walsh's mount and last year's winner Voy Por Ustedes pulled clear a long way from home.

But the winner dominated after that to finish well ahead of Voy Por Ustedes in second, with Fair Along in third.

"The improvement in this horse is just incredible," said trainer Paul Nicholls. "He has gotten better all season and at only five years old, he will be some horse in the future."

The winner is owned by Clive Smith, who also owns the defending Gold Cup champion Kauto Star, who runs in Friday's showpiece.

The early pace had been set by Tamarinbleu and Schindlers Hunt but both fell away as Master Minded loomed into contention midway through.

Voy Por Ustedes showed he would not give up his crown without a battle and joined Master Minded with four fences still to go but he was soon struggling as the winner moved up a gear to devastating effect.

Queen Mother Champion Chase
1. Master Minded (R Walsh) 3-1
2. Voy Por Ustedes (R Thornton) 5-2 Fav
3. Fair Along (R Johnson) 12-1
8 ran