The official handicapper, Phil Smith, was of the opinion that the two highest quality performances were provided by Paul Nicholls' Master Minded and Denman.

Undoubtedly both were very impressive in reaching the summit of their respective divisions.

The mantle of champion two-mile chaser that now belongs to Master Minded was achieved in effortless style. He had one horse to beat in the last three quarters of a mile and nothing anywhere near him from the second last fence. He is clearly out of the top drawer. The rating allotted to him is I believe going to be the highest in the past 20 years.

But for handicapper Smith to conclude that Master Minded is the superior of, for instance, Moscow Flyer, One Man and Viking Flagship is, I feel, a little premature.

Smith appears to have based his rating around the performance of Voy Por Ustedes. He is a very genuine, consistent individual and a reliable yardstick.

The disparity in my view and that of the handicapper lies in my assertion that Voy Por Ustedes is one of the weakest Queen Mother Chase winners of the past 20 years, and not as good as Smith has given him credit for.

Master Minded may very well become a great champion, but to say he is the best of the last 20 years after beating a relatively weak field last week does little justice to some of our former champions.

The performance produced by Denman, however, was awesome, albiet in conditions that played to his strengths. Just like Master Minded, he is a chaser out of the top drawer.

Several lines of the form of the Gold Cup suggest he ran to about his rating prior to the race.

I think he is worthy of a few pounds more than that but feel he would have to be tested under a different set of conditions, say three miles at Kempton, to be considered categorically the superior of his nearest rival, Kauto Star, whose natural speed is better suited to a sharper test on quicker ground.

Denman was decisively the best of the two under last week's conditions and it may be that they only ever meet in a Gold Cup. If that is the case, it might be that Denman will always be the nemesis of Kauto Star.

My opinion is that Kauto Star would beat Denman comprehensively in a King George, but are we likely to ever find out? To find out how good Denman really is it would be a sporting move if he was to step outside his comfort zone, as his rival has done. Greatness is generally earned in adversity.

Elsewhere, Lewes trainer Suzy Smith confirmed this week that Material World has now retired. She ran well at Cheltenham despite conditions being against her.

You should visit www.materialworld.org.uk to keep abreast of her progress and maybe become involved in her breeding career through a shareholding, details of which will be made available shortly through the website.

On Easter Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday, Plumpton stages a two-day meeting. As well as the racing there will be a children's funfair, a steel band performing and a variety of catering outlets, including a Hog Roast. Free parking is available and a free bus service operates from Brighton Station to the racecourse.

Accompanied under 16s are admitted free and discounts are available for advance purchase of tickets.

For further information telephone 01273 890383.

This week's betting advice would be to support Lease Lend in the 3pm at Haydock on Saturday.