McCoy's century

TONY MCCOY confirmed his whirlwind rise to the top rank in Britain yesterday when reaching his first century of winners. The Irishman's 100 delayed owing to the prolonged spell of bad weather finally came when Amber Valley stormed home in Nottingham's Bradmore Novices Selling Hurdle.

And he went on to complete a near 22 to 1 treble with victories on Maneree in the Whitemoor Handicap Chase and Tenein in the Giltbrook Handicap Chase.

"It's good to get the first 100 at last," smiled McCoy, who was presented with a bottle of champagne by the course executive. "I thought I was going to do it before Christmas but the bad weather prevented that."

McCoy, 21, has not looked back since riding his first British winner, Chickabiddy, at Exeter on September 7th. Now he is setting his sights on lifting the jockeys' championship for the first time.

He is keeping his fingers crossed that he can hang on to his substantial lead over David Bridgwater but with his rival backed by the powerful Martin Pipe yard it could be a close call.

McCoy was 17 ahead of Bridgwater at the start of racing yesterday and quoted at 8 to 15 by William Hill with Bridgwater 11 to 8. Since his treble Hills now bet 4 to 9 McCoy and 13 to 8 Bridgwater.

"I will certainly be giving the title my best shot and I just hope that I can keep fit and sound" said McCoy.

"I'm surprised how quickly the first hundred has come and how well things have gone. I just hope things keep going. We had a long break over the Christmas period and I still fell pretty fresh."

McCoy's first career success came aboard Legal Steps at Thurles on March 26th, 1992. He was enticed to Britain by trainer Toby Balding, who had also given Adrian Maguire his first British job.

McCoy's name has been constantly in the headlines in a campaign which was launched with a success on Googly on the first day of the new seas on at Perth on June 8th. There's plenty of good things to remember and I suppose _ one of my best winners must have been Kibreet," he said.

Balding was present to witness the landmark for his protege and, said "I'm very pleased for him and delighted that he's turned out to be so, good. Long may it continue.

Maneree's trainer Neville Callaghan was using McCoy's services for the first time. "He rides very well and has given Maneree a nice considerate ride " he said.

. The £10,000 Paddy Power Handicap Hurdle, to be run at Leopardstown on Sunday, February 4th, features an attractive enticement to the connections of the winner. The sponsors will guarantee a £50,000 bonus should the horse go on to triumph in the County Handicap Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March.

Aintree won its campaign for the introduction of a 48 hour declaration for the Grand National. when gaining BHB approval yesterday. The big race will fall into line with the Derby by switching from the traditional overnight declaration to a Thursday dead line for the March 30th contest. Entries close next Wednesday.