• Cheltenham Festival

McCoy claims first victory of final Cheltenham Festival

ESPN staff
March 12, 2015
AP McCoy romped home to victory on board seven-year-old Uxizandre © Getty Images
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AP McCoy marked his final Cheltenham Festival with victory in his first race, riding Uxizandre home in the Ryanair Chase.

The seven-year-old, trained by Alan King, was a 16-1 shot and led all the way for the 19-time Champion jockey, who will call time on an illustrious career at the end of this season.

"I would love to say it's a relief, but I actually got such a thrill riding him," McCoy said. "I was actually thinking I wouldn't mind riding the horse in next year's Champion Chase.

"He ran away with me for a mile and a half and I thought he would never keep it up but I was quite happy coming down the hill."

However, there was graver news elsewhere on day three of the Festival as amateur jockey Tom Weston was airlifted to hospital following a fall in the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Chase.

Weston fell from his mount Benbane Head and was understood to be breathing and conscious when he left the racecourse.

In other action, Ruby Walsh's impressive festival continued with victory in the JLT Novices' Chase on board the Willie Mullins-trained Vautour.

Cole Harden and jockey Gavin Sheehan caused an upset in the World Hurdle as they saw off Paul Nicholls-trained duo Saphir Du Rheu and Zarkandar.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd
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