Master bid for Aintree

Master Minded, rated the best chaser in training after his 19-length win in the

Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham, could make a surprise appearance

at Aintree next week.

Owner Clive Smith and

trainer Paul Nicholls

met yesterday to

discuss options and

Master Minded could

go for Friday's Melling

Chase (2m 4f) if

stablemate Kauto Star, who also carries the

Smith colours, runs in

the longer John

Smith's Bowl on

Thursday.

Smith said: 'Kauto Star

will be entered for the

Bowl on Thursday and

the Melling Chase on

Friday.

'No final decision has been made but there is

a possibility that Master

Minded could run in the

Melling if Kauto Star

runs in the longer race.'

It had been mooted if

Master Minded ran

again this season it

would be at next

month's Punchestown

Festival but an

appearance at Aintree

of both Smith's

outstanding chasers

would be a box-office

bonus for the track.