EMMA LAVELLE is confident Crack Away Jack is fit enough to do himself justice as he makes his eagerly anticipated return in the Victor Chandler Chase at Ascot today.

The seven-year-old’s novice campaign was cut short by injury and he was last seen in racecourse action in December 2009.

He is thrown in at the deep end on his comeback as he pits his wits against Master Minded and other top-notch performers, but his trainer believes he will give a good account of himself.

‘‘He’s always been a big horse and last season was a bit of a disaster,’’ said Lavelle.

‘‘He won his first race very impressively at Sandown and just didn’t jump well enough when second to Somersby.

“That run obviously turned out to be a very good run and he then went and finished fourth in the Desert Orchid Chase before picking up leg injury.

“He seems in really good order, he’s a smashing horse and hopefully we can get going with him properly now.

“It was a massive disappointment for everybody when he picked up his injury, but at the end of the day he was always going to come back and he’s a stronger, more mature horse now.

“You never know. With some of these horses, a bit of time off actually works in their favour.

“It’s an incredibly competitive race on Saturday (today), but if he jumps and gallops as well as he’s been schooling at home, he should be bang there coming to the second-last.

“From that point onwards, you’re going to be a little bit concerned, but I’ve done as much as I can with him at home.

“That extra bit of sharpness can only be picked up by going back to the track and if he can run into the frame I’d be delighted.”

Paul Nicholls is confident his dual Champion Chase hero Master Minded remains at the peak of his powers.

A wind operation in the summer appears to have turned the eight-year-old’s career around judged on his victory in the Amlin 1965 Chase at this track and latterly in the rearranged Tingle Creek at Cheltenham.

“He’s in good form and I’m very happy with him,” said the champion trainer.

“Having that breathing operation has made a big difference to him. It’s just given him a bit more confidence and he’s been impressive in his two runs.

Hopefully he’ll continue like that.

“The signs have been good this season at home and in his two runs, so hopefully he’s somewhere near his best.”

Somersby finished strongly to claim third in the Tingle Creek and Wantage trainer Henrietta Knight feels her charge will be more effective once stepping up in distance.

“We thought about waiting for a race over a bit further, but it was just a question of getting a run into him and you never know what might happen with the weather over the next few weeks,” said Knight.

“I don’t think anyone is going to get too close to Master Minded, but it’s good prize-money and hopefully he’ll run a good race.”

The Nick Williams-trained Gauvain inflicted a shock defeat on Forpadydeplasterer on his seasonal reappearance before placing fifth behind Master Minded.

His big-race rider, Daryl Jacob, is hoping for an improved effort this weekend.

“He went stride for stride, fence for fence with Master Minded the last day and he just blew up a bit,” said Jacob.