When the dreaded call came yesterday, Sam Thomas was with Yogi Breisner, world-renowned trainer of riders as well as event horses. It was unspoken acknowledgement that action was required to turn the ebbing tide of confidence that has brought the Gold Cup-winning jockey a sequence of indignities, culminating in his replacement by Tony McCoy on the highest-rated steeplechaser in training.

Paul Nicholls telephoned Thomas to break the news that he will not be riding Master Minded in the Seasons Holidays Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown on Saturday only once he had canvassed his trusted advisers and debated the issue with himself for two days and nights. “I've found it quite hard,” the trainer said, “but this is not just about Sam or me. I had to do what was right for the whole team and it was the only decision to make.”

Not everyone agrees. Racing's forums and phone-ins were jammed with opinions, some outraged, others entirely in accord with Nicholls. None, though, knew the facts as intimately as the champion trainer, nor fully understood the motivation to rehabilitate a jockey whose torment has been exaggerated by the celebrity status he earned earlier this year.

Starting with his unseating from Kauto Star at Haydock, continuing as he hit the deck four times during a bleak Newbury meeting and climaxing with two more falls at Folkestone on Monday, Thomas's recent record has left him bruised in body and spirit. He was apparently inconsolable at the end of Hennessy day last Saturday and Nicholls has managed the situation with more sensitivity than many will accept.

Later yesterday, Thomas drove to Somerset to dine with Nicholls, again indicative of a man seeking assistance rather than resenting injustice. “I have huge respect for his reaction,” Nicholls said. “By going to Yogi Breisner, he is trying to do something about it. There are a few things we can do to help, too, and we'll discuss them over dinner.

“I spoke at length to Paul Barber [landlord and senior patron] and also had half an hour with Sir Alex Ferguson on the phone, because there are similarities with situations he's had to handle. The consensus was that riding Master Minded would have put Sam under enormous pressure. If it had gone wrong again, he would have found it very difficult.

“This is not a demotion and all the talk I've heard of disloyalty makes me angry. We have taken the heat off Sam but he remains a big part of our team. He has good rides for me on Thursday and Friday and he'll be going to Chepstow on Saturday for five decent horses, before travelling to Ireland to ride Noland in the John Durkan at Punchestown for us on Sunday.

“We've had no cross words and I don't expect there to be any. The truth is that Sam has had a torrid time and, as a stable, we've got into a little rut. We've got to get him back to form and confidence. Taking him out of the spotlight on a big day is just one way of helping.”

As Thomas's one previous ride on Master Minded, who is now 2-1 on for Saturday's feature race, ended with him being unseated, he may privately agree. Another factor is that McCoy, the multiple champion, has ridden successfully for Clive Smith, the owner of Master Minded. He will also partner Free World for Smith in the Henry VIII Novices' Chase on the same card.

Nicholls will also run Takeroc in the Tingle Creek, probably ridden by Christian Williams, but he remains hopeful that Ruby Walsh, his injured stable jockey, will return in time to ride Celestial Halo in the Boylesports Hurdle at Cheltenham a week later.