140-1 Newton Abbot four-timer for McCoy
The 17-times champion jockey picked up his first victory of the day in the stewards’ room as 5-2 joint-favourite Littledean Jimmy was promoted to first place in the Visit Silks Novices’ Hurdle.
The major interference between John O’Shea’s charge and My Legal Lady happened two flights from home, but the stewards felt it was enough to reverse the placings.
McCoy doubled up for the day on Jonjo O’Neill’s Amuse Me (9-4 joint-favourite) in the New Alfresco Novices’ Handicap Chase and soon added a third success with the Nicky Henderson-trained Zama Zama in the SIS Live Handicap Hurdle.
O’Neill saddled his second winner as McCoy got everything out of 7-4 favourite Space Telescope in the Newton Abbot Races Handicap Hurdle.
* Stable companions Thousand Stars and Zaidpour will renew rivalries in the French Champion Hurdle next month after occupying the first two places in Sunday’s Prix La Barka at Auteuil.
Trainer Willie Mullins said: “He (Thousand Stars) is some star all right!
“It was another very good performance from him and the plan would definitely to go back to France with him next month.
“I thought Zaidpour ran a very good trial and I would expect plenty of improvement from him for his next run. He’ll be going back to France as well.”
Walsh will now have to decide which horse to ride when the pair lock horns again in France.
* Kim Bailey’s 1995 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Master Oats died yesterday morning at the age of 26.
