Tony McCoy finally landed his first winner of the meeting at the 16th attempt in the Cathcart Chase, the penultimate race of the Festival, on front-running 2-1 favourite Royal Auclair. For a moment after the last fence he looked set to be caught by 33-1 shot Cregg House, trained by Paddy Mullins and ridden by Ruby Walsh.
But McCoy conjured an extra effort out of the Martin Pipe-trained Royal Auclair, who held in front by a length and a half. Irish challenger Davids Lad ran an encouraging trial for the Grand National in third place, another seven lengths adrift.
McCoy, who clenched his fist in joy as he returned to a tremendous ovation, said: "It is good to get off the mark for the meeting but it doesn't bring Valiramix back does it? Even if I am top jockey at the meeting it won't be much of a consolation - Valiramix was a once in a lifetime horse.
Filed by Laura Reynolds
