Paris Pike moved a step near an ambitious tilt at the Jameson Irish Grand National with a gritty display at Kelso yesterday. On just his third outing over fences he showed an accomplished jumping technique to see off six rivals in the Isle of Skye Novices' Chase. The 9 to 4 favourite, ridden by Barry Fenton, galloped on strongly in the closing stages to defeat Legendry Line by four lengths.
Tony McCoy has been made favourite to be top jockey at the Cheltenham Festival - fully six weeks before the big meeting. The champion jockey is quoted at 6 to 4 by Coral to regain the London Club Trophy, which he won in 1997 and 1998. Norman Williamson is offered at 2 to 1 with last year's winner Mick Fitzgerald rated a 9 to 2 chance.
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