Select field remain in Champion Chase
Master Minded will face a maximum of 14 rivals when he attempts to land the sportingbet.com Queen Mother Champion Chase for a third time on March 16.
Paul Nicholls’ brilliant two-miler, winner in 2008 and 2009, is unbeaten in three starts this season but must again take on Big Zeb.
The Irish raider left Master Minded back in fourth when winning last year’s renewal of the Cheltenham feature.
Somersby, who ran Master Minded so close in the Victor Chandler Chase at Ascot last month, is in the field with Nicholls also represented by Tataniano and Woolcombe Folly.
Captain Cee Bee, Cornas, French Opera, Gauvain, Golden Silver, I’m So Lucky, J’y Vole, Mad Max, Scotsirish and Sizing Europe complete a select gathering.
Nicholls has taken out Tchico Polos while other notable absentees were Petit Robin and the out-of-sorts pair Forpadydeplasterer and Crack Away Jack.
