Jansboy, near side, battles Friendly Society for the win© Photo Healy Racing
It’s not often on a Monday that racing fans get treated to Barry Geraghty and AP McCoy fighting out a tooth and nail battle from the last which ended with their horses locked together at the line - Jansboy and AP McCoy were called the winners by a short head in this two and three quarter mile handicap hurdle. Friendly Society 7/1) held the upper hand on the inside, but McCoy went for everything on the outside aboard Jansboy and got him up on the line to justify 11/4 favouritism for trainer Mick Winters.
It was four and a quarter lengths back to third-placed Street Runner (8/1) who couldn’t go with the front two after jumping the final flight.
AP McCoy said: “He’s a good tough horse. Barry knocked my stick out of my hand with 200 yards to go, but this fella was giving his all.
“This day is for a great cause. It feels special to ride a winner here and to be part of the day is fantastic. It’s a fantastic atmosphere and it shows how close the racing community is.”
When asked if he was going to show the flat jockeys how to do it in the 3.55 race, McCoy replied: “It would mean more than anything!”
The top-weight gave trainer Mick Winters his fourth winner from his last six runners. This was AP McCoy’s 3,973rd career victory.
Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney was interviewed in the parade ring after this race and he said: “I was anxious to be here. The Budget was finalised last night so I changed things round to be here today.
“I think it’s important that the industry as a whole puts significant funds aside to help people put their lives together or to manage dramatic changes in lifestyle due to injuries from falling from a horse.”
UK-based jockeys lead the challenge by a point, 92-91.
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
