Racing Live - Plumpton 9th February 2009
17:00 Some comments from this afternoon's action. Fellow jockey Ruby Walsh, "He's an incredible rider and he has an unbelievable attention to detail. You can be down at the start for an ordinary novice hurdle at Hereford and he will know the form of anything with a chance. "He doesn't give an inch on the track and you never know how he is going in front as he may be niggling away but he is always keeping a bit for himself as well. "He has this way of making horses run behind the bridle and he is a hard man to get past." Trainer Jonjo O'Neill, who provides most of his runners nowadays, "It's just fantastic. If someone had told me when I was riding that someone would get to that figure, I'd say they should be locked up! "He is professional through and through. He's a brilliant horseman, a brilliant jockey and a magic man." The trainer who provided his landmark ride, Nicky Henderson, was also full of praise, "It's phenomenal but then the man is phenomenal. He is so driven and dedicated. AP is seven days a week, 365 days a year." John McCririck added, "I always call John Francome the greatest jockey but I have some doubt in my mind now!" Former jockey and now TV pundit Peter Scudamore was the previous winning most jump jockey, "When I set my record I never thought it would be beaten, especially in such a manner. "He's unbelievable and it makes me feel an idiot to be honest! "It's a fantastic achievement and he's such a great advert for racing." Nic Coward, chief executive of the British Horseracing Authority: "It is a fantastic achievement that ranks alongside any in modern British sport, not least because of the risks he takes on a daily basis and the fitness levels required to stay at the top for as long as Tony has. "He has overcome a number of serious injuries to be champion jump jockey an amazing thirteen times and yet has remained a modest, charming and exceptionally driven sportsman. "Racing should be very proud of him and it would be fitting if, at the end of this year, his achievements could be properly recognised in the BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards. "He is not just a great jockey - he is a great sportsman." Finally from the man himself, as unassuming as always. "The attention has been very flattering and the way people have been talking about it makes me feel as if it is an even better achievement. "I would never play it down - I have put in a lot of hard work and a lot of miles to ride 3,000 winners. "I am delighted to have achieved it and hopefully there are plenty more to come. "I feel very privileged with the jockeys before me who were as good as or better than me who didn't ride as many winners. "Hopefully my mum and dad will be very proud and hopefully when my daughter Eve grows up someone will tell her I was an all right jockey. "I will move on to 3,001 and carry on. Ask me if I'd ride 4,000 winners - who knows? Never say never." I think Anthony Patrick McCoy will go down in history as something better than an "all right" jockey. 16:28 Well he has done it, Tony McCoy has ridden his 3,000th winner on Restless D'artaix in the 4:20 at Plumpton. Tracking the leader, The Package, throughout he came upsides at teh final fence, jumping into the lead and claiming a comfortable victory. Although being churlish one has to question if the jockey on the runner-up could have tried harder. 16:13 Conditions are terrible. It must be asked if McCoy had not been here going for his 3,000th winner would they still have raced? I would like to think the answer is yes but fear the answer is no. 16:01 One more chance today and he is on the favourite again, this on Restless D'artaix. 15:53 What a dramatic afternoon - McCoy was nailed on to win the contest having a massive lead coming to the last on Miss Sarenne. Only not not take off and falling at the last. 15:45 Could this be it - he is on the favourite Miss Sarenne? 15:16 Well just one more to go as McCoy gets winner 2,999 on Hello Moscow - but only just as he was almost done on the line by the old timer Spider Boy. Turning for home it llokes as though it was the favourite Maraafeq who was going to deny the champ. However it was a dour battle in the conditions and it was almost a case of last man standing as all the runners (and riders) came home tired. 15:13 It has to be asked, should they be racing here today. the ground, especially at the bottom of the hill, looks terrible. 15:01 Mr McCoys second chance in the next where he rides Hello Moscow for Jim Best. He is the 4/1 second favourite. 14:45 An odds-on winner in the third as Millenium Royale neats long time leader Pangbourne on the line. No ride fo McCoy in that one so he is still on 2,998. 14:10 Looks like an afternoon for outsiders as another 33/1 shot takes the second race in the shape of Wondersobright. 13:50 No chance of a winner for AP in the second as it is a Conditional's race. 13:37 One race down for AP and no nearer the 3,000th as Excape came nowhere in the first. There was a surprise win for the locally trained outside Ray Diamond who led all the way. It looked as though the favourite was going to take the race as he was running on well but fluffed the last and despite rallying in the last few yards he was unable to beg back the leader. 13:00 Due to traffic problems on the M25 we are unable to bring live updates from the track. We shall provide a results service and be keeping a watch on Tony McCoys progress towards his 3,000th winner. 08:52 Racing goes ahead. "The ground is raceable and although it will be wet, heavy and testing ground, it's not bottomless." 08:06 Officials have called an inspection for 08:30 because of heavy rain. Prospects are described as 50-50 |
Non-Runners2:00 3:45 4:50 Results 1:30 1st 1 Ray Diamond 33/1 2:00 1st 9 Wondersobright 33/1 2:35 1st 1 Millenium Royal 8/13 fav 3:10 1st 7 Hello Moscow 4/1 3:45 1st 3 Quaspia 5/1 4:20 1st 1 Restless D'artaix 13/8 fav 4:50 1st 8 The Red Laird 25/1
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