History maker was a typical swashbuckling effort

Tony McCoy produced the kind of swashbuckling ride for which he has become so famed as he secured his 4,000th winner over jumps at Towcester yesterday.

A huge crowd descended on the Northamptonshire circuit – which as always offered free admission – in the hope of seeing history being made and McCoy was in no mood to let his supporters down. Having earlier suffered disappointment when 3-1 favourite Church Field could finish only fifth in the Agetur Handicap Hurdle, the 18-times champion again teamed up with trainer Jonjo O’Neill and owner JP McManus as 6-4 favourite Mountain Tunes kicked off his career under Rules in the Weatherbys Novices’ Hurdle.

Having travelled strongly for much of the two-mile-five-furlong journey, the Irish point-to-point winner appeared booked for minor honours as Panama Petrus and Kris Spin asserted from the home turn.