Winner of the Queen Mother Champion Chase in 2008 and 2009, Paul Nicholls’ Master Minded remains favourite in the cheltenham betting lists to record a hat-trick of wins in 2010 despite suffering defeat on his seasonal reappearance in the Connaught Chase at Cheltenham.

No horse has achieved a hat-trick of wins in the Champion Chase since Badsworth Boy in 1983-85 and there will surely be plenty of people looking to oppose the current champion after his reappearance where he appeared to hang to his right and finished in close proximity to two horses rated 20lb+ inferior to him.

If Master Minded is not your ante-post selection for the 2010 Queen Mother then the race appears wide open for any number of potential new champions. Second season chasers Forpadytheplasterer and Kalahari King must come into the equation as must established stars such as Well Chief and possibly even former champ Voy Por Ustedes who could return to the minimum distance if it appears there is a chink in Master Minded’s armour.

Twist Magic’s excellent performance in winning the Tingle Creek has seen his price for the Queen Mother evaporate but surely he has shown his dislike for Cheltenham on anough occasions to be seen as eminently opposable at single figure odds? What do you think?

A fascinating run-up to the race looks certain – let us know who your cheltenham tips for the Queen Mother Champion Chase 2010.