McCoy produces five winners to gallop towards 4,000 victories

In doing so, he sailed past 100 victories for the season.

McCoy now needs just 16 winners to set yet another record in a remarkable career.

His first four winners came in the green and gold silks of his boss JP McManus, with three of the horses trained by Jonjo O’Neill at Jackdaws Castle in Gloucestershire.

McCoy gave O’Neill’s Milan Bound a patient ride in the opening starsportsbet.co.uk Novices’ Hurdle at Carlisle to bring up his century for the season, before following up on board Pendra, Upswing and Finding Your Feet.

The latter (6-4 favourite) was by far the most fortunate of McCoy’s winners as Dickie Henderhoop fell at the last when clear in the first division of the Star Sports-sponsored two-and-a-half-mile handicap hurdle.

Total income to racing from bookmakers could top £80m in 2014-15, and boost prize money levels, after bookmakers signed a new agreement with racing.

It comes after the four largest retail bookmakers – William Hill, Ladbrokes, Coral and Betfred – agreed to each make voluntary contributions of £4.5m per annum into the newly-created Incentive Fund.

A statement on behalf of the four firms said: ““British racing is a core product in our betting offices and we want to see it grow and thrive. The £18m will be used to improve the competitiveness of the racing product, making it more appealing to both racegoers and betting office customers alike.

“We look forward to working closely with our colleagues from racing over the next four years and maintaining, and enhancing, Britain’s status as the number one horseracing nation in the world.”

British Horseracing Authority chief executive Paul Bittar said: “This additional funding, coupled with a continuation of the underwrite, brings a degree of certainty and considerable upside in the coming years.”

Champion trainer-elect Richard Hannon will rely on Chief Barker in tomorrow’s Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster after deciding to give the race a miss with National Stakes winner Toormore.

The pair, both owned by Barton-upon-Humber-based Middleham Park Racing, boast unbeaten records with each juvenile winning three times already this season.

However, it is thought the likely easy ground on Town Moor will better suit Chief Barker.

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