McCoy gets to know Master Minded Tony McCoy got acquainted with champion chaser Master Minded this morning ahead of Saturday's Seasons Holidays Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown. The champion jockey sat on the highest-rated chaser in training for the first time at Paul Nicholls' Ditcheat yard. Plenty has already been written about how McCoy came to be on the brilliant five-year-old. Nicholls' first choice jockey Ruby Walsh is currently on the sidelines recovering from having his spleen removed. And after a few high-profile exits at the final fence recently for Sam Thomas, connections decided to take the heat off the 24-year-old and he rides at Chepstow instead. As a result Nicholls and owner Clive Smith have recruited the services of McCoy. "Tony McCoy came to sit on him on Thursday morning and everything went smoothly," Nicholls told Teletext. The five-year-old waltzed away with the Champion Chase at Cheltenham, a performance that saw him end the season rated higher than Gold Cup-winning stablemate Denman. However, he failed to shine when stepped up to two and a half miles at Aintree, with Cheltenham second Voy Por Ustedes comprehensively turning the tables. Nicholls, who has a great record in the race, will also run last year's winner Twist Magic, ridden by Robert Thornton, and Takeroc, the mount of Christian Williams. The main opposition to Master Minded is expected to come from Tidal Bay, also a massively impressive winner the Cheltenham in March in the Arkle Chase. He enjoyed his final preparations at Catterick on Wednesday by jumping three fences in the home straight under big-race pilot Denis O'Regan. Ferdy Murphy's former Paddy Power Gold Cup winner L'Antartique, Fiepes Shuffle and Mahogany Blaze complete the line-up. Seasons Holidays Tingle Creek Chase; Stan James bet: 8-13 Master Minded, 11-4 Tidal Bay, 9-1 Takeroc, 14-1 Twist Magic, 33-1 Mahogany Blaze, 40-1 Fiepes Shuffle, 50-1 L'Antartique.
