HOWARD JOHNSON’S Tidal Bay readied himself for the Seasons Holidays Tingle Creek Chase with a workout after racing at Catterick yesterday.

Last season’s Arkle Trophy winner made a successful reappearance at Carlisle last month and is now set to face the sternest test of his career on Saturday against the highest-rated National Hunt horse in training in Master Minded.

The seven-year-old worked up the length of the straight with two stablemates under Denis O’Regan and Johnson’s stable jockey can hardly wait to get the leg up in Sandown’s Grade One contest.

‘‘We just jumped three fences and he quickened up after the last. I was very pleased with him and it will have put his eye in for Saturday,’’ said O’Regan.

‘‘I’m looking forward to the Tingle Creek and we’re just hoping for the best now.’’ Tony McCoy is ‘‘thrilled’’ to be getting the leg-up on Master Minded having picked up the ride in the wake of mounting pressure on Sam Thomas, trainer Paul Nicholls’ number one jockey.