McCoy rides to victory after horse pulls up

Tony McCoy has ridden many extraordinary winners in his career but few will have had quite as much drama as Drill Sergeant at Haydock today.

Comfortably in front in the Racing UK Home of Jump Racing Novices' Hurdle, the Donald McCain-trained five-year-old pulled himself up heading out on to the final circuit.

McCoy was helpless as the 11-10 favourite downed tools and the 12 remaining runners shot past him.

But McCoy once again showed he is the man for a lost cause as his mount decided to join in again, with the 15-times champion getting him back in front to repel all-comers up the straight for a length over Brother Bob success.

Drill Sergeant touched 120-1 in-running on Betfair at one stage.

The trainer saw the race unfold from the Tattersalls Sales at Newmarket.

"I was watching it, then I started to walk away. I genuinely wouldn't read too much into it. You do see a number of horses do it on that bend at Haydock, but it was exaggerated because of how clear he was," said McCain.

"There was an awful lot of laughing going off by everyone here except me, but it's grand, we got away with it.

"The horse has got a lot of ability and he's learning his job."

Stan James left McCoy at 11-8 favourite for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award.

Head of PR Charlie McCann said: "AP (McCoy) must get plenty of coverage, hopefully on news channels as well as sports channels in the next few days, given his mount pulled himself up and refused to go out on the final circuit until the rest of the field went past.

"It was an incredible ride, even by his unique standards, and one which may, hopefully, tip the balance his way in December."