 Master Minded is a two-time Champion Chase winner |
Master Minded, ridden by Noel Fehily, stormed to victory on his return in the Amlin 1965 Chase at Ascot as Tony McCoy suffered a nasty spill on Albertas Run. Paul Nicholls' Master Minded had not raced since March because of injury but jumped supremely to challenge long-time leader Albertas Run three from home. And when McCoy was sent flying at that fence, Fehily steered the 5-6 favourite home by a 16-length winning margin. I'msingingtheblues, an 11-2 shot, was second, with Panjo Bere (20-1) third. "He travelled sweetly and jumped sweetly," said Fehily of the 2008 and 2009 Queen Mother Champion Chase winner. "It was desperate to see AP go like that, we were both going well but I was very happy with mine, popping away with plenty left. I've never ridden a horse that can get in and out of a fence so quickly."  | 606: DEBATE |
Nicholls, who was at Haydock, said: "Noel gave him a fantastic ride - there's a lot of pressure riding these horses and he's doing a great job. I'm chuffed to bits, we're back in business. "One day, Clive [Smith, owner] would love to go for the King George and maybe we will next year. His next race will be the Tingle Creek at Sandown, and we'll sit down and discuss what we do next after that." Asked if Fehily would get the ride on Kauto Star in the King George at Kempton on Boxing Day, Nicholls replied: "He hasn't done himself any harm has he?" Champion jockey McCoy was stood down for the rest of the meeting after walking away from his tumble - his third in four rides - on the Jonjo O'Neill-trained nine-year-old grimacing and apparently in some pain.
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