Champion jockey Tony McCoy rode out at Paul Webber’s Mollington stables, near Banbury, this week.
The 17-times title holder called in at Cropredy Lawn on Monday to partner Cantlow, who is owned by his boss, JP McManus.
The eight-year-old, winner of his last two starts over fences, is bound for the Cheltenham Festival where his likely target is one of the handicap chases.
Webber said: “He came to sit on Cantlow. He jumped a few hurdles and fences and was very pleased with him.
“He will probably have his next run on February 16 at Ascot over hurdles to protect his chasing handicap mark for Cheltenham.”
McCoy also had a spin on two of Webber’s promising youngsters, Deia Sunrise, who runs in the 32Red Juvenile Hurdle (3.15) at Huntingdon today, and the unraced Thisgunsforhire.
The Mollington handler has a high opinion of Deia Sunrise, who will be ridden by Harry Skelton today.
The four-year-old failed to settle when fourth to L’Unique on his debut over hurdles at Kempton last month, and Webber is hoping he won’t pull so hard.
“He had a very high rating with John Gosden, and we are lucky to have him,” said Webber.
“He is quite keen and a front-runner on the Flat and needs to relax a little bit.”
Webber is also looking forward to running Thisgunsforhire, who he hopes McCoy may partner in a bumper in a few weeks’ time.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here