McCoy move best for all parties - Smith

CHAMPION Chase hero Master Minded is the 4-6 favourite to make a winning reappearance in the Seasons Holidays Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown on Saturday following confirmation that Tony McCoy will be in the saddle.

The champion jockey will get the leg up on the highest-rated National Hunt horse in training at the weekend in preference to Sam Thomas, who is currently the number one rider for trainer Paul Nicholls with stable jockey Ruby Walsh sidelined through injury.

Thomas has come in for some criticism in some quarters of late after the high-profile defeats of Kauto Star in the Betfair Chase and Big Buck’s in the Hennessy Gold Cup, both of whom unshipped Thomas at the final fence.