McCoy has seven chances to close in on his latest milestone in Yorkshire
Eight short of the landmark after top hurdler Jezki’s win yesterday in Down Royal, he will be disappointed if the JP McManus-owned six-year-old – the ante-post favourite for the Ladbrokes World Hurdle – does not win the bet365 Hurdle.
It’s a formidable challenge – this elite field includes last year’s winner Tidal Bay, the Tim Easterby-trained Une Artiste and Sue Smith’s The Knoxs, who was a summer acquisition by the owners of Grand National winner Auroras Encore.
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Hide AdWhile Aintree is the ultimate target for The Knoxs, the Rebecca Curtis-trained At Fishers Cross could be a long-term successor to four-time World Hurdle winner Big Buck’s.
However, Pembrokeshire-based Curtis is taking nothing for granted. “It will be a good test for him, but we haven’t killed our horse at home and the idea is that he will improve as the season goes on,” she said. “He is well in himself and fit enough to run well.”
As well as stepping in for the ride on Benefficient – another Cheltenham winner – in the Charlie Hall once connections became aware of his availability, McCoy partners Nicky Henderson’s Une Artiste in the OLBG.com Mares’ Hurdle.
The five-year-old mare won the corresponding race 12 months ago and Henderson observed: “She’s fresh and well and in good shape, but she’ll come on for the run.”
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Hide AdAs for the local contenders, John Quinn’s Cockney Sparrow won on her last two starts over hurdles in the spring and Dougie Costello’s mount will have race fitness on her side after she struck on the Flat at Ayr in September.