Master Minded has been out of action since last November

  PICTURE: John Grossick  

Master Minded could face seven in Game Spirit

MASTER MINDED will face a maximum seven opponents in the Totepool Game Spirit Chase at Newbury on Saturday.

The race was reopened on Monday after only three other horses were declared against the two-time Champion Chase winner, but trainers are still not queuing up to have a crack at Master Minded or the place money on offer this weekend, as only eight entries were unveiled on Tuesday.

Voy Por Ustedes, Fix The Rib, Private Be and Mahogany Blaze appear the credible challengers, although Master Minded is likely to start a red-hot favourite despite being sidelined by a rib injury for the past few months.

Fix The Rib's trainer Gary Moore said on Tuesday afternoon: "Fix The Rib had a hiccup, but when the race closed and was then reopened we thought we'd see how he worked and take a view.

"He worked well this morning, so we stuck him in. He's not a certainty to run, mind, as there is another option for him at Ascot the following Saturday, and if it is soft at Newbury he wouldn't run.

"But he is a very likely runner if the ground is suitable, and as he has never won going left-handed, it's a bit of a fact-finding mission. After his next run the plan would be to go to Cheltenham."