RACING:Master Minded heads 14 horses standing their ground at the confirmation stage for the Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham on Wednesday.
Last year's brilliant winner is certain to be odds-on to retain his crown and represents champion trainer Paul Nicholls along with Twist Magic.
Tidal Bay, winner of the 2007 Arkle Trophy, is one of two possibles from Howard Johnson's stable, the other being Santa's Son while the injury-plagued Well Chief could make a comeback after almost two years off the track. David Pipe's charge was runner-up to Moscow Flyer in this race in 2005.
Colm Murphy's Big Zeb leads the Irish brigade with Willie Mullins' Scotsirish and John Murphy's Newmill completing their trio.
Making up the rest of the entry are Ashley Brook, Briareus, Lord Henry, Mahogany Blaze, Marodima and Petit Robin.
Voy Por Ustedes, winner in 2007 and second 12 months ago, was one of six withdrawals, he is likely to go instead for the Ryanair Chase on Thursday. The other absentees were Moon Over Miami, Pablo Du Charmil, Takeroc, Tamarinbleu and Thyne Again.