McCoy expected to team up with Best Mate

RACING’S worst kept secret of Christmas will emerge today when Tony McCoy is confirmed as riding Best Mate, the short-priced favourite, in the King George VI Chase next week.

McCoy will be partnering Best Mate for the second time in the St Stephen's Day showpiece at Kempton Park following the failure of Jim Culloty, the horse's regular rider, to have a suspension overturned.

Henrietta Knight, the trainer of Best Mate, the Cheltenham Gold Cup winner, anticipates finalising the arrangement this morning following discussions with the horse's owner, Jim Lewis.