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Connections CommentsBig Zeb"I'd have been happy if he had finished in the first three or four (in the Dial-a-bet Chase), but for him to run like he did I was delighted. He's improved a fair bit from last year. He's come out of it really well and I'm hoping he should improve for it. He was as ready as we could've had him for his first run, but knowing him he'll improve for his next race. I imagine we'll get another two runs into him before Cheltenham. There's the Tied Cottage for him at Punchestown at the start of next month and depending on how he comes out of that race I'd like to get another run into him. I'm very much thinking of the two-mile Queen Mother for him at this stage. It'll be tough to beat Master Minded but at the same time I wouldn't mind finishing second to him either." Colm Murphy 4th January 2009 Briareus"He seems fine. We've just not done a lot with him since Kempton. The Champion Chase is a possibility. Obviously, by the look of things we are only playing for places but it's a very valuable race so we may go there. It's difficult to know in all honesty as it's up in the air what his best trip is, but I thought he ran a very good race in the King George. His next run will either be at Cheltenham or we'll wait for Liverpool, where there are a couple of options." Andrew Balding 9th January 2009 Master Minded"I am very lucky to be allowed to ride him, anyone could have ridden him even Ruby (Walsh) and he's only half fit – in fact I am surprised he didn't try to. He's a very good horse who deserves his rating. He's a good traveller, a good jumper and we spent the whole race worrying about the loose horse. Riding a two-mile chaser with his speed and power is what you live for as a jump jockey. He's an absolute machine. I've always thought Moscow Flyer was the best two-miler I'd ever see but this guy could be better." Tony McCoy 7th December 2008 "He won the Tingle Creek and didn't come out of a canter to win the Victor Chandler at Ascot. He looks in fantastic form and I think he has improved enormously physically from last year. Last year we went into the race not knowing what we had, but we do now and he is in really good order. He is not the easiest to train and has a few little issues but when he is right he is hugely impressive. To space his races out is ideal and he'll probably just have the three runs this season. He is just where we want to be for the Champion Chase and on all known form he will be hard to beat." Paul Nicholls 18th February 2009 Tidal Bay"He's fine, he's having a fortnight to three week's off. To be honest he hasn't even had a saddle on since the Rowland Meyrick. We are just freshening him up and then we'll start with him again when this weather breaks. He's probably going to the race at Cheltenham at the end of January. All must be well but he will be entered in the Gold Cup, the Ryanair and the (World) hurdle race as well." Howard Johnson 7th January 2009 Well Chief"His owner saw him canter on Wednesday morning and he is on the road back. He has a big hill to climb but we are getting there - he is cantering and swimming. He will be OK until we give him any fast work and has been living in the swimming pool. I don't see any reason why he won't retain his ability but it is his second try back from injury. He is in very good form and is one of the best I am ever likely to get hold of. There are two big ifs, but if we get him back and if he retains his ability, then he could be the one to give Master Minded something to think about." David Pipe 13th January 2009 Twist Magic"On the whole he has been slightly disappointing since winning last year's Tingle Creek. He did win at Punchestown on better ground last spring and that could be his race again. He will run in the Champion Chase but wouldn't want the ground too soft. He must be fresh too, but he has a mountain to climb against Master Minded." Paul Nicholls 18th February 2009 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
