McCoy shines on Polar

Tony McCoy produced a typically power-packed finish on hot favourite Polar Red in the feature Sunderlands Imperial Cup at Sandwon today and in the process teed-up a possible Stg£60,000 bonus.

The bonus is up for grabs for any horse who follows up its Imperial Cup victory with a success at next week`s Cheltenham Festival.

Polar Red holds an engagement in Thursday`s Vincent O`Brien County Handicap Hurdle, for which Martin Pipe`s five-year-old has incurred a 7lb penalty.

In today`s race McCoy had the 6-4 chance settled on the inside as Castleshane set a fast pace.

Polar Red made headway to take closer order down the back with Impek also beginning to make ground and it was this duo who had the race to themselves from the second last flight as Castleshane faded.

After a sustained battle into a strong headwind up the run-in it was Polar Red who gained the day by a head from Impek (14-1) with eight lengths back to Scots Grey (20-1).

Through The Rye (14-1) was fourth.

'I wasn`t oozing confidence but I was always going to ride him confidently because he`s that sort of horse and you have to ride him like that,' said McCoy.

'It took me all the time to get the better of Impek but going to the last I always thought I was going to get him.

'He travelled well at the second last but I`m not sure he really faced the headwind, it was very strong.

'I couldn`t be happier with him.

'That`s part one done anyway.'

Pipe has already landed the bonus twice in the past with Olympian in 1993 and with Blowing Wing five years later.