RACING: McCoy on Banbury gallops (From Oxford Mail)

RACING: McCoy on Banbury gallops

10:00am Thursday 7th February 2013 in Sport By Russell Smith, Sports reporter specialising in horse racing. Call me on 01865 425453

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 are closed on this article.