Bookmakers William Hill expect Tony McCoy to be given the leg-up on Master Minded for Paul Nicholls in Saturday's Seasons Holidays Tingle Creek Chase.

Sam Thomas is deputising for Somerset trainer Nicholls while Ruby Walsh is injured but the young Welshman has not endured the best of fortunes and was unseated from Kauto Star in the Betfair Chase and from Big Buck's in the Hennessy Gold Cup the following week.

And his bad luck continued at Folkestone on Monday when he had falls from his only two mounts.

While Nicholls and owner Clive Smith will discuss Thomas' fate in the next couple of days, the champion jockey is 4-11 with Hills to get the ride at Sandown on Master Minded, Britain's highest-rated jumper, with Thomas a 2-1 chance.

The popular Davy Russell and Christian Williams are both 12-1 shots while Master Minded is 2-5 to win the Tingle Creek with the same company after his scintillating display in the Queen Mother Champion Chase.

The Grade One two-miler has become dominated by Nicholls, who has taken the last three runnings with Kauto Star (twice) and Twist Magic and the Somerset man will again have a strong hand.

William Hill spokesman Tony Kenny said: "Tony McCoy has an excellent strike rate for Clive Smith and we think that he might be the man to replace Ruby on Master Minded.

"Sam Thomas won the race last year with Twist Magic and he could be the man to team up with the defending champ."

Master Minded won a handicap at the course last January and has only one blemish on his recent record when beaten over two and a half miles at Aintree on his final start of the season.

Nicholls said: "The Tingle Creek Chase is one of the most exciting races of the season for me and I am thoroughly looking forward to Saturday and seeing Master Minded on his seasonal reappearance.

"I have also entered Takeroc, Natal and last year's winner, Twist Magic."

He could still face a stern examination from Arkle Trophy winner Tidal Bay Howard Johnson's charge looked as good as ever warming up at Carlisle recently and while he has another potential option in next week's Peterborough Chase, connections are believed to be giving Sandown very serious consideration.

The in-form Nicky Henderson has entered Ascot winner Jack The Giant and useful mare My Petra.

Mahogany Blaze, L'Antartique and German raider Fieppes Shuffle are other interesting entries.

Jericho III, Santa's Son and Schindler's Hunt complete the field.

Seasons Holidays Tingle Creek Chase, William Hill bet: 2-5 Master Minded, 5-2 Tidal Bay (with a run), 5-1 Jack The Giant, 6-1 Twist Magic, 12-1 Takeroc, 25-1 bar.