Wichite gives McCoy his first win

Wichita Lineman gave Tony McCoy his first winner of the meeting when landing the Brit Insurance Novices' Hurdle.

The 11-8 favourite, trained by Jonjo O’Neill, looked to have got the measure of Black Harry when the latter took a crashing fall at the final flight.

That left Wichita Lineman well clear to score from Air Force One and Itsa Legend.

Mr Strachan took them along in the early stages but was headed by Sir Jimmy Shand before the field went out on the second circuit.

Black Harry took it up at the third-last travelling well but was joined between the final two flights by Wichita Lineman, who soon cruised into the lead.

After Black Harry came down, Wichita Lineman was left to come home 12 lengths clear of Air Force One, with Itsa Legend a further six lengths back in third.

Both Black Harry and jockey Ruby Walsh appeared to be unscathed after their tumble.

McCoy said: "It's good to get a winner. I was gutted yesterday because I thought Black Jack Ketchum had broken his neck and if that would have happened it would have killed me.

“If you are ever in trouble and not riding a winner, this horse has got the heart of a lion.

“He has raced like that the last couple of times and I was a bit worried that I was getting behind too many horses.

“But Jonjo has always thought a lot of him and he has got a great attitude.”