Master Minded is the ante post favourite for the Queen Mother Champion Chase. (credit: Carine06)
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Clive Smith has admitted that Big Zeb is the biggest threat to Master Minded regaining his Queen Mother Champion Chase crown at Cheltenham on Wednesday week.
Master Minded could only finish fourth in the race last year after winning the two previous renewals of the two-mile showpiece and Smith believes that Colm Murphy’s Big Zeb could be the horse to halt his superstar.
Master Minded has looked right back to his best this season and a victory over Somersby in the Victor Chandler Chase over two miles and a furlong proved his wellbeing in January.
However, Smith is taking nothing for granted heading to Prestbury Park, explaining: "Big Zeb is a very talented horse and if the going gets better it will suit Big Zeb more. We'll be doing very well to see him off and beat him, but I hope that we will.
"Somersby is a very talented hors. I've always liked him, and he is very much a serious contender - though two miles might be a touch on the short side for him.
"But there's no doubt he's got plenty going for him and is a very capable horse. We did well to beat him and it was very sticky ground at Ascot that day.
"It will be better ground this time."
