McCoy takes
Argento Chase
A.P McCoy upset the odds on Neptune Collonges as the pair
ran out clear winners in the Argento Classic. Leading
from start to finish, the fifteen times Champion Jockey easily out ran the
pre-race favourite Punchestowns, who could only finish third.
The race was part of the Cheltenham
Festival trials day and now the Paul Nicholls-trained horse is placed at 33-1
with some sports betting experts for the festival’s flagship race, the Gold Cup.
The 11-2 was without a win in two years and missed all of last season through
injury, but took apart the field, jumping excellently to run out a clear
winner. The grey stayed well to hold off an impressive charge from the eventual
runner up Tidal Bay, who looked out of the running coming into the home
straight.
While Neptune Collanges proved to be a popular winner after most believed the
two-time Punchestown Gold Cup winner was past his best, the race was far less
successful for Punchestowns. A mistake at the 15th hurdle did for the pre-race
favourite and after such a poor performance; doubts have been raised over his
entry into the prestigious Gold Cup. His weary finish was noted by trainer
Nicky Henderson who said: “He's still having a massive blow. He was travelling
well up to the top of the hill and then he just got tired.
"We ran him today so we could run him again if we needed too, and we do.
But where? I just don't know." He added.
The day proved to a successful on for McCoy, who
triumphed on Local Hero earlier in the day.
