McCoy learns from Denman defeat

Champion jockey Tony McCoy believes he learnt plenty from riding Denman in the Aon Chase at Newbury despite the pair failing to complete the course.

The 10-year-old went into the race as a red-hot favourite after winning his second Hennessy Gold Cup earlier in the season but after blundering at the fourth from home, the pair parted company at the next fence.

Paul Nicholls' charge will now head back to the Cheltenham Gold Cup for a third clash with stablemate Kauto Star and McCoy is hoping his mount will be back to his best on March 19.

"Paul is very happy with him and says he's in great shape," McCoy told Channel 4 Racing's The Morning Line.

"I'm very much looking forward to it and obviously what happened at Newbury wasn't the plan.

"He probably wasn't 100% wound-up and it wouldn't surprise me if he's a horse that does need to be 100%.

"He got a little bit tight into the first one in the straight and was a bit unlucky the way he landed as he kind of slipped.

"Maybe he frightened himself a little and that's why he did what he did at the ditch.

"I'd like to think you learn something on every horse you ride and I think I learned enough about him that day.

"He has his quirks but he's a very good horse and I suppose all the pressure is on Kauto Star now."