MUCH has been made of the decision to give Tony McCoy the leg up on Master Minded in the Seasons Holiday Tingle Creek Chase but the duo look set to strike gold at Sandown.

Trainer Paul Nicholls and owner Clive Smith have opted to use the champion jockey, rather than Sam Thomas, who acts as second-string rider to the injured Ruby Walsh.

The choice has made many headlines and although McCoy’s forceful style may not suit every horse, it is hard to see his booking as a negative for a runner officially rated the best in training.

Master Minded was the dominant force in the twomile division last year, breezing home in the Queen Mother Champion Chase at the tender age of five.

Although he suffered a reverse behind Voy Por Ustedes at Aintree in April, the longer two-and-a-half-mile trip looked to be against him, while the race probably came once he was past his peak for the campaign.

Despite the change in the saddle and a worthy challenger in Tidal Bay, it would be a surprise if Master Minded were to slip up on his seasonal return.

Cheating Chance made quite an impression when winning at Ascot last time and he can take the next step up the ladder in the betinternet.

com Henry VII Novices’ Chase Nine De Sivola is still a maiden over fences despite being placed in two Nationals.

That can change in the betinternet.

com London National Handicap Chase, with Ferdy Murphy’s horses starting to hit form.

Sublimity endured something of a stop-start campaign last season but he is fancied to return to his brilliant best in the WBX.COM ‘‘Fighting Fifth’’ Hurdle at Wetherby.

Rearranged from the abandoned Newcastle meeting a week ago, the Grade One contest is always an event to savour.

The 2007 Champion Hurdle winner only ran three times last season, finishing fourth in the Boylesports International and the latest renewal of the blur riband before chasing home Punjabi at Punchestown.

That rival re-opposes but all the vibes coming from new trainer Robbie Hennessy are that Sublimity is better than ever. As he is still officially rated the best horse in the field, he has to be rated the one to beat, even on ground softer than ideal.

It has been a while since Henrietta Knight has had a truly top-class performer but Calgary Bay can change that at Warwick tomorrow.

Knight enjoyed a golden spell with the likes of triple Gold Cup hero Best Mate and Edredon Bleu carrying the flag at the highest level.

However, things have gone a little quiet of late at her Wantage yard but Calgary Bay can show he is a hot prospect with victory in the Blue Square Mobile Beginners’ Chase.

Billed as a potential superstar following a win at Cheltenham 12 months ago, things did not quite pan out like that but this handsome sort was third in the Tolworth Hurdle and could make into one of the very best jumpers about.

It is John Smith’s Scottish Borders National day at Kelso and Bellaney Jewel looks just about the pick in what will undoubtedly be a gruelling affair over four miles.

Feature event on a good day in Ireland is the John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase and popular grey, The Listener, deserves another chance following a woeful effort last time.

While trainer Nick Mitchell cannot find a reason as to why his horse trailed in so far behind Kauto Star at Down Royal, The Listener won this Grade One contest a year ago.

He is worth forgiving a bad day at the office and could be returned at a nice price if he jumps his rivals ragged.