McCoy racks up another century

TONY McCOY racked up another century of winners before the National Hunt season kicks into top gear when guiding Thespis Of Icaria to victory at Uttoxeter yesterday evening.

The 16-times champion jumps jockey is already setting a relentless pace in his quest to retain his crown, and reached yet another landmark in a remarkable career.

He showed his appetite is as strong as ever when guiding home Rebecca Curtis’ unbeaten gelding to success in the concluding bumper. After having drawn a blank from two rides at Sedgefield on Tuesday, McCoy was out of luck in his first three rides at the midlands track before landing his 100th success of the campaign on the last race on the card.

Despite having to give weight all round, the 4 to 9 favourite ran out a determined four-and-a-half-length winner, with Court In Session finishing second.

The remainder of the fixture was dominated by Sam Twiston-Davies, who rode a 199 to 1 treble aboard Horseshoe Reef, Haldibari and Mad Moose.

Julie Krone showed why she is the most successful female jockey of all time by beating an illustrious list of former riders at Doncaster.

The 48-year-old American Hall of Fame jockey, now with 3,705 winners to her credit, turned back the years when partnering Invincible Hero to an emphatic victory in the Clipper Logistics Leger Legends Classified Stakes.

Her amazing career, which finally ended due to injury in 2003, stood her in good stead in a charity race that featured a host of familiar names of the turf that included former British champion Flat jockey Kevin Darley, and Classic winners John Reid, George Duffield, Ray Cochrane and Ernie Johnson.

Former jockey-turned-trainer Gay Kelleway was also in the line-up along with top names from the National Hunt scene, including Graham Bradley, Norman Williamson and Steve Smith Eccles.

The purpose of the Legends race is to help raise money for the Injured Jockeys’ Fund rehabilitation centre, in Malton, and development of the Northern Racing College.

Krone had Invincible Hero towards the front rank from the outset of the straight mile contest as Tom O’Ryan made the running on Talent Scout before taking the Declan Carroll-trained four-year-old to the lead two furlongs out.

Quickly taking a couple of lengths out of the field, Krone was in command as she sent Invincible Hero, the 4 to 1 favourite, clear to win convincingly by three and a half lengths.

Retired Irish jumps jockey-turned-trainer Charlie Swan was second on Skyfire after his win in the inaugural running of this race 12 months ago. Duffield was another neck away in third on the well-backed Dialogue.