/ Timeform / 07 April 2011 / Leave a Comment 
Master Minded and Somersby: Will the latter reverse Ascot form now he steps back up in trip?
"Master Minded boasts the best form but didn't convince at Cheltenham he was still at the top of his game, and this could be the day Somersby makes the breakthrough at the highest level now returned to a longer trip."
Timeform run the rule over the two-and-a-half-mile Melling Chase...
Albertas Run is prone to the odd bad run, but is one of the best chasers around on his day and is bidding to complete back-to-back Ryanair/Melling Chase doubles after beating Kalahari King at Cheltenham last month.
Chaninbar improved to win twice last spring, including the Red Rum Handicap at this meeting. He has largely been out of sorts this term, refusing to race at Cheltenham, and is out of his depth here.
French Opera registered his fifth win since reverting to chasing in the Game Spirit at Newbury in February. His latest run in the Champion Chase highlighted he's a little below the top level, however.
Kalahari King is a high-class chaser at 2m to 2½m. He returned to his best at the Cheltenham Festival, finishing a length behind Albertas Run in the Ryanair, and should go well again (won here as a novice).
Made In Taipan is a smart chaser but hasn't won since he was a novice in the 2008/9 season and he has just the one good run to his name this term in small field at Naas. He is not up to this level, anyway.
Mad Max is a huge gelding who beat Somersby in a Grade 2 novice at this meeting 12 months ago, but he has been plagued by breathing problems, and folded especially tamely in the Champion Chase on his first run since being tubed.
Master Minded has been the best 2m chaser of his generation, looking back to somewhere near his peak on his first three starts this season, but was already in trouble when blundering two out in the Champion Chase and stamina is not the only concern.
Somersby failed only by a whisker to peg back Master Minded at Ascot in January. He rallied after a mistake three out when fifth in the Champion Chase and the return to this trip is long overdue. He is a leading contender.
Tartak responded well to fitting of a tongue strap, winning twice at the turn of the year. His jumping has let him down in better company since, though, and he will do well to better his fourth place in this last year.
Tranquil Sea developed into a high-class chaser last season, and has been successful both starts this term, at Grade 1 level for the first time over fences at Fairyhouse in December. This will take even more winning.
Timeform 1-2-3:
1. Somersby
2. Albertas Run
3. Kalahari King
Timeform View: Master Minded boasts the best form but didn't convince at Cheltenham he was still at the top of his game, and this could be the day Somersby makes the breakthrough at the highest level now returned to a longer trip. The Ryanair 1-2, Albertas Run and Kalahari King, can't be left off the shortlist, either.
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