AP McCoy celebrates Fontwell treble

The opening race saw the Rails Bookmakers Association Novices’ Handicap Chase go to Sam Thomas on Charming Lad, the 2/1 favourite, who led for the majority and finished with a flourish ahead of Tom Cannon’s Chief Bucaneer.

It was then the turn of McCoy, riding 15/8 favourite Littledean Jimmy, who narrowly won the Chris Gordon Racing Club Novices’ Hurdle after a close-run race with King’s Sunset, ridden by Richard Johnson.

Indian Daudaie (4/5 favourite) took the Monks Bar And Restaurant Portsmouth Novices’ Chase with jockey Daryl Jacob. Beside the Fire was second.

McCoy missed the chance to add to his tally in the Chris Copsey Memorial Handicap Hurdle as his 11/10 favourite Stravati was well beaten by Sahrati, ridden by Tom Cannon. It was a close battle until the home stretch, where a mistake by McCoy allowed Cannon to ride clear to win well.

The Northern Irish jockey made up for hthat in the AE Parker Handicap Chase. He took his second win of the day, riding 4/1 runner Rackham Lerouge.

Penultimate race of the day was the Frank McCartney Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle which brought a good win for 10-1 outsider Sunny Spells, ridden by Joshua Moore. The 6/4 favourite Kings Story was unfortunate to fall.

Romney Marsh finished second, with Royal Bruere making up the front three.

The WageDayAdvance.co.uk Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race capped McCoy’s hat-trick – with a thumping run from 2-1 favourite Heronry.

Kalmbeforethestorm and Madame Papillon had led for the majority of the contest, but an impressive sprint by the four-year-old overtook the front pack - making it another day to cherish for the champion jockey in front of a decent-sized midweek crowd.

DAN BRETT