McCoy Now on 2,999 The ex-Michael Hourigan-trained Hello Moscow has put Tony McCoy on the 2,999 winner mark for jumps races in Ireland and Britain, just lasting home under a typically power-packed ride from the Antrim man in the Chris Poole And George Ennor Memorial Handicap Hurdle at Plumpton. In desperate conditions, Jim Best's chestnut was always on the pace and though given reminders with a full circuit left to travel, the 4/1 shot had enough in reserve to hold the rallying Spider Boy (supported at fancy prices). When Best puts McCoy up it is always a good sign and a forty four percent strike rate shows just that. The pair combined at Fakenham last month when Rocky Ryan landed a heavy punt. Hello Moscow won three point-to-points when with Michael Hourigan, at Kilmallock (he beat Hold Em there and that fellow has since been successful several times under Rules), Taylorstown and Maralin. He carried the Beef Or Salmon colours of Joe Craig then and later narrowly failed in a Kilbeggan bumper. Jim Best bought him for 25,000 guineas at Brightwells in June 2008. (EM)
