Tony McCoy went without a winner for the first time since he announced his imminent retirement when four rides at Haydock failed to yield success. The perennial champion jump jockey was in contention for a long way aboard Monbeg Dude, part-owned by Mike Tindall, before finishing third in the Grand National Trial.
It was something less than an encouraging effort with regard to that horse’s chance in the real thing at Aintree in April, since he produced his usual couple of mistakes and looked laboured for the most part. McCoy, riding him for the first time, might be thought the ideal partner but they were beaten 19 lengths and a new jockey will be needed for Aintree, where McCoy will ride one of JP McManus’s horses.
Lie Forrit seized the prize by a head from Harry The Viking, rallying late after defeat seemed sure. The winner, trained in Fife by Lucinda Russell, is not entered for Aintree and will be aimed at the Scottish National. Aintree is the aim for Harry, also trained in Scotland, but he needs to be raised significantly in the weights for this effort if he is to make the cut for the race.
Teaforthree remains unqualified for the Foxhunter Chase at Cheltenham after finishing fourth in Haydock’s hunter chase. He has another 10 days in which to make the first two in such a race if he is to take part next month.
