McCoy strikes out with Abutilon

Tony McCoy was out of luck on the first of his four rides at Kempton today as he continued his quest to reach 3,000 winners over jumps.

The 13-times champion got the leg-up on Abutilon for Brendan Powell in the williamhill.com – Play Bingo Novices’ Handicap Hurdle but pulled up his mount before the second-last.

Bally Conn, the 7-4 favourite, claimed the two-mile-five-furlong heat in the hands of Bernie Wharf.

McCoy has been stuck on 2,998 successes since getting Stradbrook home in a thriller at Wincanton on January 29.

McCoy fared little better 35 minutes later when Albertas Run was a distant third in the Levy Board Chase.

The Jonjo O’Neill-trained eight-year-old was sent off the 4-1 second-favourite for the Grade Two contest, but turned in a lacklustre display over a course and distance which saw him finish runner-up in the King George on Boxing Day.

Madison Du Berlais claimed the valuable prize, with Gold Cup winner Denman only finishing second on his return to the track.