O’Neill praises real McCoy
There have been Festivals in the not too distant past which McCoy couldn’t possibly have enjoyed, but this one will surely rank among the sweeter.
On Tuesday, he had a terrific afternoon when taking the Champion Hurdle on Binocular and to have another Grade 1 come tumbling his way was surely the icing on the cake.
This was simply McCoy at his magnificent best and he gave Albertas Run, arguably, the best ride we have seen thus far over the three days.
He had Jonjo O’Neill’s charge up front from the start, with Deep Purple, and then grabbed the contest by the scruff of the neck when going for home heading to the third last.
Well-backed Poquelin had travelled and jumped beautifully to this point and Ruby Walsh soon had him in the slipstream of Albertas Run.
But Poquelin guessed at three out, losing vital lengths, which he never threatened to get back.
Albertas Run bounded up the long straight, flew the last two fences, with Poquelin just edging out J’Vole for second, after the duo had engaged in a barging match turning in.
This was a 17th Festival winner for O’Neill, who said: “The ground was right for him, that’s so important, and the trip suited. He’s a very good horse on his day.
“He’d have won a King George, but for Kauto Star, and then would have been a real hero. A good gallop all the way was fine. When you’ve got AP and Ruby up there in front they go a good gallop and not silly. He’s (entered) in the Grand National and will probably run at Aintree, but in which race I’m not sure.
“AP is a very special fellow, there is no better man to ride a horse. He has got a few stitches, but will be alright, he’s a magic man.”
For McCoy it was a 23rd Festival success, to move to within three of the trail-blazing Walsh.
He took a crashing fall from Jered in the opener and was the recipient of one of the biggest cheers of the afternoon when shown getting to his feet on a big screen.
He’s as tough as nails and bounced right back to give Albertas Run a drive and a half.
Said McCoy: “I must admit, when I was on the ground, the pain threshold was testing me to the limit.
“Jonjo and I asked Trevor (Hemmings, owner) if we could run this horse in the Ryanair, rather then the Gold Cup, because we thought he had a good chance.
“Trevor, being the man he is, was all on for it, as long as I rode Albertas Run. I am delighted for Jonjo as well.”
Andy Stewart, owner of Poquelin and later to gain more than ample compensation with Big Buck’s, was in no way disappointed.
“No, not at all,” he said. “It’s horse racing, you come second, beaten by an RSA winner, and he didn’t just beat us, he won very convincingly.”
The stewards looked into interference between Poquelin and J’Vole and made no alteration to the placings.
Davy Condon, however, who rode J’Vole, was suspended for four days for careless riding.
