CHELTENHAM:Ruby Walsh completed a memorable treble when Master Minded took the Seasons Holidays Queen Mother Champion Chase for the second year in succession with another imperious display at the Cheltenham Festival. Sent off the 4-11 market leader, the Paul Nicholls-trained six-year-old was settled in behind the leaders before cruising home to a rapturous welcome from punters.
Walsh had already completed an Irish double on Willie Mullins's Mikael D'Haguenet and Cooldine, and a third win was never in doubt when he and Master Minded disputed the lead after jumping the fourth from home, before romping clear on the turn to the finishing post.
Although he had to be pushed right out to the line, Master Minded still came home seven lengths clear of Well Chief.
There was drama at the start of the two-mile contest, with two false starts called due to Marodima running away with Nick Scholfield.
The victory was a third on the card for Walsh, who was always happy to sit a few lengths off the furious pace set by Marodima in the early exchanges.
It looked harder work than 12 months ago after he jumped the final obstacle but he still had seven lengths in hand passing the post.
"He's the best chaser around, as I'd say he wasn't as good today as he can be," said the Irishman afterwards. "He got worked up in the parade and the false starts were messy.
"He's just a very good horse. I think he's been better (this year).
"What makes him so good is that good horses always win on an off-day."
Well Chief, having his first run for almost two years, ran a mighty race to fill the runner-up spot for the second time having chased home Moscow Flyer in this race some four years ago.
Petit Robin made a couple of bad mistakes but still ran on well enough to get third.
“If we mind him and look after him he can keep on coming back," Nicholls said of Master Minded. “Last year we were probably a little bit harder on him than before today.
“You only get him ready to perform at a level you think. We just wanted him to win the race today, which he has done.
“He’s got a little lazy now because he does everything so easily. He jumps great and does everything really well, but what a wonderful run by Well Chief.
“These are the horses that count," he added. “It’s the big races you concentrate on. It’s just great and good for everyone involved in the team.”
Owner Clive Smith, added: “He seemed to take it easier. He didn’t go out in front like he did last year but it’s great to win.
“Ruby is the very, very best and Paul is a sensational trainer and a great chap."
Well Chief’s owner, David Johnson, was thrilled with the effort of his popular 10-year-old.
“It’s been a tremendous training achievement by David (Pipe) because the horse has legs like glass," said Johnson. “He’s run into a superstar today and if his legs are OK, we would take the winner on again if he went to Aintree.”
Pipe added of his 12-1 shot: “He’ll probably be remembered as the horse never to have won the Champion Chase, but this effort shows you what a great era it was when he was competing against Moscow Flyer and Azertyuiop.
“I must hand a lot of the credit to Jon Lower who rides him most of the time at home.”
Nicky Henderson was not too despondent after Petit Robin (12-1) stayed on for third. “We didn’t hide, we took him (Master Minded) on and had a go — he ran a great race," he said. “I think we’ll have to go to two and a half miles now and try to avoid Master Minded.”
Master Minded is already just 4-7 to emulate Badsworth Boy with a third success in 12 months’ time.
Cheltenham Results: Day Two
1.30 139th Year Of The National Hunt Chase Challenge Cup
1 Tricky Trickster (S Waley-Cohen) 11-1
2 Drumconvis (Derek O'Connor) 22-1
3 Nine De Sivola (R Dobbin) 16-1
19 ran
2.05 Ballymore Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1)
1 Mikael D'haguenet (R Walsh) 5-2F
2 Karabak (A P McCoy) 4-1
3 Diamond Harry (T J Murphy) 4-1
14 ran
2.40 Rsa Chase (Grade 1)
1 Cooldine (R Walsh) 9-4F
2 Horner Woods (R M Power) 66-1
3 Massini's Maguire (R Johnson) 10-1
15 ran
3.20 Queen Mother Champion Chase (Grade 1)
1 Master Minded (R Walsh) 4-11 Fav
2 Well Chief (T J Murphy) 12-1
3 Petit Robin (B J Geraghty) 12-1
12 ran
4.00 Coral Cup
(Grade 3)
1 Ninetieth Minute (P W Flood) 14-1
2 Mirage Dore (Mrs R Dobbin) 14-1
3 Pause And Clause (Jack Doyle) 9-1
4 Star Of Angels (H Frost) 40-1
27 ran
4.40 Fred Winter Juvenile Novice's Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3)
1 Silk Affair (T J O'Brien) 11-1
2 Ski Sunday (S E Durack) 20-1
3 Saticon (W Hutchinson) 20-1
4 Alexander Severus (A J McNamara) 5-2 Fav
22 Ran
Cheltenham 5.15 Weatherby's Champion Bumper NH Flat Race (Grade 1)
1 Dunguib (Mr B T O'Connell) 9-2
2 Some Present (D N Russell) 25-1
3 Rite Of Passage (P J Smullen) 5-2 Fav
24 ran