Master Minded can be given a stern test on his comeback from a fractured rib in the Game Spirit Chase at Newbury by Fix The Rib (3.40). Paul Nicholls says that the favourite is "80% fit" for his return and for some that may be enough to make him worth supporting if he is back to the level of form he showed when crushing his rivals in the 2008 Champion Chase.
But until there is further evidence that Master Minded is over whatever was responsible for his laboured effort when third behind Well Chief and Mahogany Blaze (and, to a lesser extent, his previous unimpressive victory over Big Zeb at Punchestown), I would prefer to take him on.
With Voy Por Ustedes beaten before stamina became an issue in Ireland last time, it could be the frontrunning (and ironically-named) Fix The Rib who exposes any lack of condition in the favourite.
Tony McCoy looks a fascinating booking for Gary Moore's runner who was kept ticking over with a run on the all-weather last month, and although he usually races at right-handed tracks, there is no clear sign of a preference.
Newbury 2.00 Stripe Me Blue has run some of his best races here and finished a good third behind Lie Forrit in November. If he can avoid his usual jumping errors, he is capable of going well at a big price.
Warwick 2.15 Even back at this trip, Long Run should have too much pace for these rivals. The jumping mistakes he made at Kempton on his debut for the yard will be ironed out as he gets used to British steeplechase fences.
Newbury 2.30 Denman should win this with the minimum of fuss. Imagine the uproar if he fails to get round under Tony McCoy, though, given the amount of fuss made over the champion's booking.
Newbury 3.05 Plenty of potential among this line-up, but not a lot of solid two-mile handicap form and Harry Tricker should go close to giving Gary Moore a third consecutive victory in the race. This is a progressive horse. His stablemate, Numide, is considered at a big price, while Get Me Out Of Here looks the most interesting of the "sexy" horses.
Warwick 3.20 Buck The Legend is tried with blinkers for the first time after jumping lazily last time out. If they help rekindle his enthusiasm, he is handicapped to win again.
Horse sense
Jonjo O'Neill has never been the easiest trainer to follow, with his team often seeming to lose their form as quickly as they find it. But with a wedge of winners coming out of Jackdaws Castle in recent days, confidence is high over the prospects of Get Me Out Of Here (3.05) in today's Totesport Trophy.
Since beating Yetholm on his handicap debut at Newbury back in November, O'Neill has had today's contest on his mind for the unbeaten six-year-old and he could yet turn out to be very smart.
Upon unsaddling at Newbury for his last win, Richie McLernon had only good things to say about Get Me Out Of Here who has been brought back to the boil at home in preparation for this contest.
Alan King, who has high hopes for Manyriverstocross in the same contest, may supply an earlier winner when Bensalem bids to better Diamond Harry and the unexposed Inchidaly Rock in the opening novice chase. Bensalem (1.30) was in the process of throwing down a challenge to Diamond Harry when coming down heavily three out at Haydock last time.
Even King was not sure whether he would have beaten the favourite that day, but there was only half a length between them at level weights on hurdling form and the selection is better off at the weights here - while the stable are also in better form.
The closing bumper at 4.45 is one of the best races of its kind seen all season. Made In Time, bought by JP McManus on the advice of Tony McCoy, will attract obvious attention. But Dragon's Roost beat some very well-regarded rivals on his recent debut win over course and distance and could be the one to keep his unbeaten record intact.
Even if O'Neill misses out in the big race at Newbury, the stable could be on the mark with Saphir des Bois (3.20) at Warwick.
He was a little unlucky to get reeled in at Haydock on Betfair Chase day earlier this season and should be suited by a return to this two-and-a-half-mile trip, having seemed to stay it well in the past.
Seen and heard
Jake Greenall is to become the first of the four Greenall brothers to turn professional later this year. The young rider, a graduate of the pony racing circuit, is the younger brother of Tom and Ollie, both of whom have proved themselves to be fine amateurs, while Toby Greenall is also an accomplished jockey. Their father, Peter, now Lord Daresbury, was champion rider three times in the 1980s. The youngest of the four at 17, Jake rode two winners under Rules last week and plans to take out a conditional riders' licence later this year.
Picking up on inconsistencies between statements from stable staff submitted to the British Horseracing Authority and answers given by Ralph Beckett in an interview, the BHA threw the book at the Hampshire-based trainer over a recent failed drugs test by Larkham. Even Beckett's own counsel admitted that there was "a certain tension" between the statements and some of the earlier answers given by Beckett. With the authority's own penalty guide suggesting a range between £750 and £2,500 for the offence, the BHA disciplinary panel opted instead to fine Beckett £4,000. Unfortunately, the BHA's own independent appeal board saw things differently and not only reduced the penalty to £2,250, but also awarded Beckett "a modest order of £2,500 towards his costs", thereby making the net gain to the authority for clamping down on the offence ... err ... minus-£250, plus their own legal costs. The price of independence, perhaps?
