Since Noel Fehily was ruled out of the competition, jockey Tony McCoy has taken up the task of riding Master Minded next Saturday at the Tingle Creek Chase at Cheltenham. British Horseracing Authority chief medical adviser Dr Michael Turner decided Fehily was not fit to ride due to a wrist injury he suffered last month.

In 2008, McCoy was responsible for riding Master Mind to victory in the same race and although Noel Fehily expected to be able to ride the horse this time, he has to abide by the chief medical decision. “The doctor has stood me down, but I can't understand why because he hasn't even seen me yet this morning,” Fehily commented. “I've been schooling this morning so it seems a bit harsh to me, but that's the way it is.”

Master Minded, who won the Queen Mother Champion Chase twice, has already been confirmed as one of the 10 runners in the field. Kalahari King will also be at the Tingle Creek Chase at Cheltenham, as stated by trainer Freddy Murphy. Also confirmed to run are Gauvin with Nick Williams and I’m So Lucky, trained by David Pipe.

The remaining confirmed competitors for the Cheltenham meeting are Kinkeel, Mahogany Blaze, Oiseau De Nuit, Petit Robin and Somersby. Eight-year-old Twist Magic, who won the race in 2007 and 2009 and who is Master Minded’s stable companion, is not yet confirmed to take part in the race.