McCoy successful at Newbury

Tony McCoy preserved an unbeaten link with St Austell owner Graham Roach when steering Michel Le Bon to an unchallenged success over Bench Warrent in the GPG Novices' Chase at Newbury.

With Paul Nicholls' stable jockey Ruby Walsh competing in Ireland, connections of Michel Le Bon were anxious to acquire an experienced jockey for the inexperienced gelding and were delighted to get the services of the champion.

The combination were always in control and already had 5-4 favourite Pettifour cooked when that one unseated Paddy Brennan at the penultimate fence.

'After this Tony is three out of three for me,' enthused Roach after the 6-4 chance had obliged.

'He rode Viking Flagship to win at Aintree and Cornish Rebel to win this race. With Ruby riding for Willie Mullins, Tony was the man we wanted. He's the boy.'

The winner attracted varying quotes for the RSA Chase at Cheltenham, with William Hill and Victor Chandler offering a first show of 16-1 and Sky Bet a top-priced 20s.

Colin Tizzard's Midnight Queen (11-4 favourite) won the opening EBF Mares' 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle to give McCoy a double.

'She was as brave as brave can be up that run-in today and she'll stay three miles no problem. I think she'll go back over fences now for a qualifier at Exeter,' said Tizzard.

Barry Geraghty wasted no time getting back among the winners on his first day back from a lengthy suspension by partnering a double for Nicky Henderson.

The most impressive being Riverside Theatre (4-5 favourite) in the Rooney/Hall Beginners' Chase, who earned quotes around the 16-1 mark for the Arkle by winning on his chasing debut without coming off the bridle.

'That end-to-end gallop is what he wants and he was very good in the jumping department,' said Henderson.

'He was good long, he got height and when he reached for the cross fence he was away and out from it and gone.'

The winner is part-owned by actor James Nesbitt, who added: 'We hope there are a few more good days to come.

'He'd schooled well at home but you never know for real until they get to the track.'

Oscar Whisky clinched the double for Henderson and Geraghty when storming clear of the promising Midnight Prayer in the Burges Salmon Open National Hunt Flat Race.

The 8-15 winner looked sure to be pressed by Rock On Ruby two furlongs out but without Geraghty having to draw his whip, the combination quickly settled the issue.

Josh Guerriero is a name we should be hearing plenty more about as the season progresses and the amateur excelled on his boss Victor Dartnall's Exmoor Ranger in the Racing UK Handicap Chase.

Guerriero had been out of the saddle since May but made his first ride back a winning one.

Having been a shade unlucky on his return to action, Exmoor Ranger (4-1 favourite) made no mistake as he got the best of a three-way battle up the run-in with Ice Bucket and Victorias Groom.

Afterwards Dartnall said: 'He ran well at Wincanton where he got impeded and made just one mistake.

'I think he's done well to jump round Wincanton and then jump round here and he was given a great ride by Joshua. He's with me and should go a long way.'

Emma Lavelle's Zarrafakt (12-1) made nearly every yard of the running in the CSP Novices' Handicap Hurdle under Jack Doyle.

Lavelle was represented by her assistant Barry Fenton, who said: 'We knew he'd get the trip so decided to make the running.

'Earplugs have made a big difference to him and in truth we're in two minds what to do because he's schooled over fences and jumps beautifully.

'He jumped super and will handle any ground.'

Get Me Out Of Here extended his unbeaten sequence to four as he outgunned Yetholm in the sportingbet.com Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle in the colours of JP McManus.

The 4-1 winner was given a confident ride by Richie McLernon, though trainer Jonjo O'Neill was not present.