Catterick treble for McCoy
Sent off the 8-15 favourite to add to last month’s Hexham romp, the John Quinn-trained five-year-old made every yard of the running and came home a hard-held seven-length winner.
McCoy struck next aboard Philip Hobbs’ 1-4 favourite If In Doubt, who appeared to have the measure of Askamore Vic when that rival slithered to the ground after the final fence in the Pin Point Technical And Engineering Beginners’ Chase.
The hat-trick was complete after Benjamin Arthey’s Irish raider Junius Brutus (11-4 favourite) landed the bumper.
Grade One-winning trainer Michael Smith was delighted to continue his recent revival as gigantic new recruit Cango landed a gamble in the Pin Point Home Care Handicap Chase at Catterick.
Despite showing precious little in five previous starts under Rules in Ireland for Paul Nolan, the six-year-old was a well-backed 5-2 favourite for his British debut, having fared better in the point-to-point sphere this autumn.
After a bold leap at the first fence, Cango was soon bowling along in front and he saw off Safari Journey with relative ease in the straight to score by seven lengths.
Smith said: “I’ve only had him four weeks, but we knew we had a nice one as he’s shown us plenty at home.
“He’s a huge horse – he’s 17 hands. He’s so big I’ve had to buy bigger girths and everything for him.
“I think he was just a big, weak horse when he was with Paul Nolan and he benefited from the summer off.
“He’s been point-to-pointing with Colin Bowe, who told me he’d do well for us in northern handicaps and I think he’s right.”
