McCoy now just two away from 4,000 Tony McCoy closed to within two of a landmark 4,000 career victories over jumps after riding his third consecutive double. McCoy had ridden two winners on both Saturday and Sunday and was at it again at Kempton today as Captain Cutter made a promising start to his hurdling career and Foundation Man built on the promise of his chasing bow. The Nicky Henderson trained Captain Cutter was sent off at 4/11 favourite for his hurdling bow in the Weatherbys Bank Foreign Exchange "National Hunt" Novices' Hurdle and gave his supporters very few anxious moments en route to a 10 length victory. In truth, the six year old's hurdling was far from fluent with one notable mistake coming four from home but he simply had too much class for his rivals. McCoy was allowed the luxury of several long, lingering looks around for rivals - of which there were none - before easing his mount home for a ready success. Talking about Captain Cutter's mistake four flights from the finish, McCoy said: "When he jumped, he almost caught his head. It could have been worse. He could have knuckled over, but thankfully he didn't. "With the price that he went off at, he won the way he should have. He is a nice type of horse, he needs to brush up on his jumping and needs a bit of experience. "He has started off well. I'm not sure he is the easiest horse to ride, but hopefully he will be (in time), all being well." Foundation Man was sent off at 11/10 favourite for the Weatherbys Bank Foreign Exchange Handicap Chase and duly obliged although McCoy did have to get quite serious with the six year old. Jonjo O'Neill's charge received a reminder down the back straight, but mastered Lemon's Gent from the home turn and looked to have the race in safe keeping jumping the second-last. Upton Mead came from further back to try and make a race of it under a familiar foe in Richard Johnson, but Foundation Man safely negotiated the final obstacle and was always doing enough to hold on by two and three-quarter lengths. McCoy's quest to reach the 4,000-winner mark will continue at Exeter on Tuesday, where he has three booked rides.
