McCoy hit with Beeno ban

Champion jockey Tony McCoy faces a week off early in the New Year after being hit with a five-day suspension for improper riding at Cheltenham today.

McCoy got into trouble for his handling of Deano’s Beeno before the start of the Unicoin New Homes Spa Hurdle.

The talented but temperamental gelding was reluctant to line up with his five rivals and received some sharp reminders from McCoy before eventually consenting to jump off when the tapes went up.

Ironically, the ban comes on a horse with whom McCoy has enjoyed considerable success, most notably when winning last year’s Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot from Baracouda.

In today’s race, Deano’s Beeno ran in snatches before fading close home to finish fourth behind Sh Boom.

But McCoy was immediately called to the stewards’ room to explain his behaviour before being handed the ban (January 12 to 16 inclusive).

“The horse is well known to be difficult and was mulish going down to the start,” explained stipendiary steward William Nunneley.

“McCoy requested extra time to allow the horse to join the others and he did eventually start the race.

“But having said all that, the stewards found that in the space of two minutes, he had hit the horse approximately 50 times.

“That was clearly unacceptable and we had no alternative but to give him a ban for improper riding. The rules are in place to protect the horses and the integrity of racing.”

An angry McCoy was reluctant to comment as he left the stewards’ room.

“What am I supposed to do?” he said.