McCoy marks comeback with a winner

It was business as usual for Champion jump jockey Tony McCoy as he returned to action at Fontwell today after being sidelined by injury for two months. The record-breaking rider, who broke his right arm in a fall at Worcester on June 18, hit the winning trail on his first mount back - Flying Spirit, trained by Brighton handler Gary Moore, in the Saltwell Signs Novices' Hurdle.

The partnership pulled clear coming out of the back straight to score by 13 lengths at 9-4, beating the 1-2 favourite Chivite, ridden by McCoy's main rival Richard Johnson. McCoy's other ride of the day, Enitsag for his boss Martin Pipe, proved hard work and had to settle for a well-beaten third place in the Donatello Pizzeria Ristorante Brighton Selling Hurdle behind Doberman and Governor Daniel.

After his day's work the Champion said: "I was nervous, like a lad who was having his first ride, but I soon warmed to it. It means a lot to me, the reception the public gave me after that first win back. Punters and fans are the people who keep us going. It has been tough while I have been off, but I managed to cope by not watching racing on TV, which would have upset me, not being able to compete. Mr Pipe's stable has been a bit quiet during my break, too, but I wouldn't go as far as to say that he has gone at the game!"

He added: "My arm feels 100 per cent now and although I have foregone the dream of 300 winners this season now, I must emphasise that I will be going everywhere for winning rides as usual - that is in my make-up. If I have to flog all the way to Perth for just one ride, that is where I will be."

Moore, after providing McCoy with his winner, said: "I got Flying Spirit out of a Brighton seller after he had been with Mark Tompkins. Tony has had lots of winners for me. He rode his first big one - Warm Spell in the Lanzarote Hurdle - for our stable. He is not only a genius, he is also very lucky for me too."

McCoy is back at Worcester tomorrow and gave a hint that Lorenzino could be another winner for him in the two-and-a- half-mile handicap hurdle. "I have ridden more winners than losers for the trainer Jonjo O'Neill and I hope it stays that way", he said.

Filed by Stephen Cummins