Tony McCoy may have endured a bleak Cheltenham but he moved on to Chepstow today in his endless quest for winners. He started the day on the 263 mark for the season, seven short of breaking Sir Gordon Richards' record of 269, set on the Flat in 1947.
McCoy managed just one success at the Festival, and his Cheltenham woes began to be replicated in the first two events of the day at Chepstow. With Dark Fairy, his mount in the opening Red Dragon FM Juvenile Novices' Hurdle, declared a non-runner hopes were high that odds on shot Jour J could get
him off the mark in the following Tintern Abbey Novices' Chase. Those hopes were soon dashed however when the 8-13 favourite was pulled up after a bad mistake down the far side.
Running Times produced a ray of light for McCoy by landing the Mill On The Floss Claiming Hurdle. The champion jockey took the visored five-year-old to the head of affairs on the final bend and came away down the straight to win with plenty in hand. McCoy failed to complete the course on board Strong Tel in the marathon Pickwick Bookmakers Handicap Chase.
Canadiane Canadiane failed to add to McCoy's tally when well-beaten in the Severn Handicap Hurdle.
Filed by Laura Reynolds
