One to go...3,999 for McCoy

McCoy rode to victory on Jezki at the Down Royal Festival of Racing last Friday, to close the gap to his 4,000th race win.

The 18-times champion jockey had the chance to reach 4,000 at Towcester on Thursday, with two races at the meeting.

McCoy was certainly the star attraction when he won the Grade Two WKD Hurdle feature race on Jezki, last Friday.

Jessica Harrington’s five-year-old, owned by JP McManus, was a three-times Grade One scorer last season and carried on the good work at Down Royal.

McCoy was making only his second-ever appearance at Down Royal, and the crowds turned out in their numbers to cheer home the local hero.

The win on the Jessica Harrington-trained Jezki saw McCoy move to within eight victories of the 4,000 mark.

“I’m originally from not far from here – this was probably the first racecourse I went to as a child – so it’s nice to be back,” McCoy said afterwards.

“I haven’t been here for five years. The last time was when I won on Jered. It is just the way things have worked out with my commitments in England. I am pretty busy over there.

“But this was a ride I really wanted and I am glad I came over now.

“It’s good to get a winner any time, but it’s great to win here again.

“It is nice to be home. It is the first time in five years that JP (McManus) has a smart horse riding at Down Royal.

“It is a special atmosphere with great crowds. I am not sure how many more times I will get the chance to ride here.”