NEWS ROUND-UP:NOEL FEHILY is eagerly looking forward to partnering dual champion chaser Master Minded in the Amlin 1965 Chase at Ascot on Saturday. The Irishman is due to continue his association with champion trainer Paul Nicholls this weekend as deputy to the injured Ruby Walsh.

It has been a fruitful past week for Fehily, with two of his recent winners coming for Nicholls at the Open meeting.

Master Minded has been ridden by Tony McCoy in the past but Nicholls and owner Clive Smith have chosen to go with Fehily, a decision for which the jockey is thankful.

“I’m very grateful to Mr Nicholls and Mr Smith for giving me the opportunity and obviously he’s a very exciting horse,” said Fehily.

“There’s no better two-mile chaser around than him so hopefully it will all go well at the weekend.

“Whenever I get the call to ride some of Paul’s horses I’m over the moon and it’s ideal for me to ride them whenever I’m available,” he said.

Master Minded is due to reappear over two miles and three furlongs, the furthest he will have run over since he was a beaten 2 to 5 favourite behind Voy Por Ustedes in the Melling Chase of 2008.

One trainer not afraid to have a crack is Tom George with Tartak.

The seven-year-old was a well-beaten third behind Monet’s Garden in the Old Roan Chase at Aintree on his seasonal reappearance, but George now knows it takes his charge a few runs to reach his peak.

“Tartak is entered at Ascot, but his main aim for the season is the Peterborough Chase,” said George.

“He was a bit unlucky in it last year when he slipped three from home.

“He normally takes a couple of runs to get into the swing of things, that’s what happened last year.

“It is more than likely he’ll be going to Ascot and hopefully he’ll be a bit better.

“He ran better at Aintree than he did first time out last season but he’s just a bit sloppy and needs a couple of runs to fire him up.”