McCoy triumphs with Le Bon

Rider maintains undefeated link with owner

By Rachel Griffiths Last updated: 26th November 2009

McCoy and Michel Le Bon

Tony was the man we wanted. He's the boy

Graham Roach
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Tony McCoy piloted Michel Le Bon to an unchallenged victory in the GPG Novices' Chase at Newbury to maintain an unbeaten link with owner Graham Roach.

McCoy, who was recruited as a replacement for Paul Nicholls' unavailable stable jockey Ruby Walsh, completely dominated the race and had already overcome 5-4 favourite Pettifour when Paddy Brennan was unseated at the penultimate fence.

"After this Tony is three out of three for me," said Roach. "He rode Viking Flagship to win at Aintree and Cornish Rebel to win this race. With Ruby riding for Willie Mullins, Tony was the man we wanted. He's the boy."

McCoy scooped a double with Colin Tizzard's 11-4 favourite Midnight Queen in the opening EBF Mares' 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle.

"She was as brave as brave can be up that run-in today and she'll stay three miles no problem." said Tizzard.

"I think she'll go back over fences now for a qualifier at Exeter."

Comeback

Barry Geraghty made the most of his first day back from a lengthy suspension by partnering a double for Nicky Henderson, giving a particularly fine display on Riverside Theatre in the Rooney/Hall Beginners' Chase.

"That end-to-end gallop is what he wants and he was very good in the jumping department," said Henderson.

"He was good long, he got height and when he reached for the cross fence he was away and out from it and gone."

Old Whisky completed the double for Henderson and Geraghty by upstaging Midnight Prayer in the Burges Salmon Open National Hunt Flat Race.

Josh Guerriero made his first outing back a winning one after being out of the saddle since May with Exmoor Ranger in the Racing UK Handicap Chase.

Victor Dartnell's 4-1 favourite was faultless as he triumphed in a three-way battle up the run-in with Ice Bucket and Victorias Groom.

"He ran well at Wincanton where he got impeded and made just one mistake," said Dartnell.

"I think he's done well to jump round Wincanton and then jump round here and he was given a great ride by Joshua. He's with me and should go a long way."

Emma Lavelle's Zarrafakt was victorious in the CSP Novices' Handicap Hurdle under Jack Doyle and Get Me Out Of Here extended his unbeaten spell to four in the sportingbet.com Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle in the colours of JP McManus.