Winner does little to improve McCoy mood
In fact it was more of a cruel reminder as the chestnut is a half-brother to Binocular, who was taken out of the Champion Hurdle at the final hour when it emerged he had been receiving medical treatment for an allergy.
Last year’s hero was easily McCoy’s biggest hope at the showpiece meeting and the most driven of all jockeys was naturally devastated by the setback.
Remember When also represents trainer Nicky Henderson and owner JP McManus, but bears no further similarity to his sibling and was without a win in three prior novice starts.
He looked like easily justifying his position as 5-2 joint-favourite at the top of the straight in the Daily Nicholls Festival Column Handicap Hurdle but was very nearly caught out on the line by Tatispout.
“That’s the nearest he’s ever going to get to Binocular,” rued McCoy.
But on this most precarious of all days for National Hunt jockeys with a view to the coming week, McCoy will have spared a thought for Dougie Costello, whose Festival looked almost certainly over after falling from Veiled Applause in the race.
Costello had even started the afternoon on a high note, helping Palawi (1-3 favourite) shrug off his only serious rival Sidney Melbourne in the betfair.com/promotions Juvenile Hurdle.
He is now three out of five over timber.
