Paul Nicholls will bid to end an unusual lack of success in the headline race on a Saturday with the seasonal debut of champion chaser Master Minded in the Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown tomorrow.

Nicholls has seen fancied runners in the Paddy Power Gold Cup, Betfair Chase and the Hennessy Gold Cup all eclipsed in the last three weeks and it is now the turn of the highest-rated National Hunt horse in training to put matters right.

Tony McCoy has been booked for the ride on Master Minded, supposedly in preference to Sam Thomas, but the latter insisted yesterday that he "was never on the horse to get jocked off him".

There were many superlatives used after Master Minded slaughtered 2007 winner Voy Por Ustedes by 19 lengths in the Champion Chase at Cheltenham in March and none was more appropriate than "breathtaking".

The Clive Smith-owned five-year-old put up what many good judges said was the most impressive Champion Chase performance of all time with the handicapper so taken by the brilliant bay that he raised his official handicap rating to a staggering 186.

This mark is 16lb clear of stablemate Twist Magic who beat Voy Por Ustedes by three lengths in this race 12 months ago.

It is hard to see how Twist Magic can possibly double up if Master Minded is in anything like his best form.

Ironically, when the race was priced up on Monday, Master Minded was installed as 2-5 favourite. Yet, despite the booking of McCoy, his price has drifted to a very respectable 4-6.

If there is a danger then Tidal Bay could provide it.

Howard Johnson's Arkle winner proved his well-being at Carlisle when winning on his seasonal bow and connections are clearly keen to take on the champion.

Normally the Arkle winner would be labelled "the young pretender", but Tidal Bay is actually two years older than the favourite and it is almost frightening to think there is even more improvement to come from Master Minded.

The champion trainer's third challenger Takeroc has a mountain to climb on form, but the combination of Master Minded and McCoy will surely see Nicholls grabbing the headlines again at last.