Horse Racing: Punchestowns firmly on course

PUNCHESTOWNS has won his fitness battle and now it is time for him to step up to the plate in the RSA Chase on the second day of the Cheltenham Festival.

Trainer Nicky Henderson revealed that Punchestowns had been suffering a problem with intermittent lameness at the start of the month but the vibes from Seven Barrows have been highly positive since.

The seven-year-old made a speedy recovery and his routine suffered the minimum of interference so he forms part of an enviable two-pronged assault on the race for Henderson.

While Long Run is the favourite, Punchestowns has not put a foot wrong over fences, winning on his chasing debut in a Newbury Grade Two before making the switch to the highest level in style at Sandown.

Although he nearly dropped an almighty clanger when uprooting the seventh fence that day, he regained his composure and pegged back the five lengths he had conceded to win in clear-cut fashion.

Narrowly beaten in last year's World Hurdle, Punchestowns has proven his mettle around Prestbury Park and while Long Run is a worthy adversary, preference is for the Barry Geraghty-ridden Punchestowns.

Master Minded can secure his place in the record books with a third consecutive win in the Seasons Holidays Queen Mother Champion Chase.

Paul Nicholls' charge blasted away the opposition in 2008 and while Well Chief was a little closer last term, Master Minded was still good enough to win by seven lengths.

His follow-up win at Punchestown was hard-fought while he suffered a shock defeat on his seasonal return at Cheltenham last November.

It later transpired he had a rib problem and Nicholls felt that injury may have played its part in what was a slightly lacklustre finish to last season.

However, he showed he is right back on form with a demolition job in the Game Spirit at Newbury last month, pulling so far clear that he had enough time to batter the last fence and still win easily.

Master Minded is evidently back on form and it would be dangerous to oppose the reigning champion.

There may be a slight question mark over the quicker ground for Reve De Sivola but his Grade One form is there for all to see in the Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle.

Sixth in the Triumph Hurdle last year, Nick Williams wisely decided to retain his novice status for this term and that choice paid dividends when he won the Challow Hurdle last time.