Master Minded is back in the tracks bigger and stronger than last year. He showed he is in great shape during an exhibition round of jumping thanks to which he claimed the Seasons Holidays Queen Mother Champion Chase.

“He has done so well during the summer,” trainer Paul Nicholls said. "We took our time with him last year as he was so lean when he came to us from France but he is now bigger and stronger. He will start off in the Tingle Creek and then have two to three more runs before the Champion Chase. He will get two and a half miles in time but we will stick to two miles as he is so efficient at the trip.”

As to Twist Magic, he failed in the Champion Chase, where he was well-fancied, but instead claimed the equivalent race at the Punchestown Festival. Trainer Nicholls commented that Twist could go to the Haldon Gold Cup if the ground is decent. “I might have to run some of the two-mile horses against each other,” the trainer said.

Noland, winner of the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, is back from an injury and finished third in the Arkle. Trainer Nicholls hopes he has benefited from a breathing operation he underwent during the summer. “I might look to start him in a graduation chase and longer term he would suit the Peterborough and John (Hales, owner) is keen to go for the Ryanair,” Nicholls finished.