Tony McCoy heading towards jumps milestone

Tony McCoy heads to Exeter for three rides on what could prove a landmark day in the record-breaking champion jockey’s career.

Tom Scudamore and Grands Crus trail home a disappointing fifth at Kempton. Picture: Getty

A double at Kempton courtesy of Captain Cutter and Foundation Man left McCoy on 3,998 career winners over jumps – and two successes at Exeter would see him reach 4,000 at the track that saw him register his first British winner on 7 September, 1994, on the Gordon Edwards-trained Chickabiddy.

Captain Cutter survived au untidy round of jumping to ultimately run out a comfortable winner of the Weatherbys Bank Foreign Exchange National Hunt Novices’ Hurdle.

There was a slight moment of concern for Nicky Henderson’s 4-11 favourite as the six-year-old debutant made a mistake four flights from home and he was also less than convincing at the final obstacle, but his class advantage was clear as he went home ten lengths clear of Fine Words.

McCoy said: “He is a nice type of horse, he needs to brush up on his jumping and needs a bit of experience. He has started off well. I’m not sure he is the easiest horse to ride, but hopefully he will be (in time), all being well.”

McCoy added to his tally with his final ride from three on the card as 11-10 favourite Foundation Man claimed victory in the Weatherbys Bank Foreign Exchange Handicap Chase.

Assessing his chances at Exeter, McCoy said: “I wouldn’t say they are good chances. Flemenson is probably the best one.”

The O’Neill-trained Flemenson bids to make in two from two over obstacles in the opening novice hurdle at the Devon venue, while McCoy also rides Keen Eye in a similar event and Well Hello There, also trained by O’Neill, goes in a handicap chase.

Grands Crus trailed home a disappointing fifth as God’s Own enhanced his reputation with a smart display in the Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle at Kempton. Grands Crus looked destined for the top following a brilliant display in the Feltham Novices’ Chase at this track in 2011, but little has gone right for David Pipe’s grey since. Despite conceding lumps of weight all round, this two-mile-five-furlong contest appeared a good opportunity for him to get his career back on track, but his finishing effort left more questions than answers.

The Tom George-trained God’s Own (11-4), who was still travelling well when unseating Paddy Brennan at Chepstow last month, made no mistake on this occasion, staying on well despite hanging right to score by six lengths from Like Minded.

SELECTIONS

Exeter

1.50 Flemenson (nap)

2.20 Keen Eye

2.50 Cue Card

3.20 Claret Cloak

3.50 Kind Of Easy

4.20 Royal Native

Southwell

12.40 Seamster

1.10 George Benjamin

1.40 Two No Bids

2.10 Stoney Quine

2.40 Pennine Warrior

3.10 One Pursuit

3.40 Honoured

4.10 Millkwood

Kempton

4.30 Much Promise

5.00 Fragonard

5.30 Emperical

6.00 Habeshia

6.30 Havelovewilltravel

7.00 Secret Beau

7.30 Batchworth Lady

Double

Flemenson

1:50 Exeter

Claret Cloak

3:20 Exeter