McCoy wins Legends Race

It has always been about winning for Tony McCoy and even in the name of charity the 20-times champion National Hunt jockey made a triumphant one-off return to the saddle on Gannicus for the Clipper Logistics Leger Legends Race at Doncaster.

While the 15 other jockeys were just pleased to be taking part, McCoy's professional pride would not let him be beaten in a race that is now in its sixth year and has raised over £500,000 for Jack Berry House and the Northern Racing College.

When he hung up his boots in April everyone believed the Northern Irishman when he said his days in the saddle were over - but former trainer Berry can be a persuasive character.

On the opening of the new facility in Malton earlier this year, Berry cornered McCoy and "bullied" him into agreeing to take part.

In the lead up to the race the banter had been flying, with the likes of Johnny Murtagh and Luke Harvey coming in for most of it.

And it was At The Races presenter Harvey, a former Welsh National-winning jockey, who loomed up large looking the only threat entering the final furlong.

Whether it was his horse, Big Storm Coming, or Harvey who cried enough first is unclear, but he faded with Next Stop finishing with a flourish for Billy Newnes to take second.

Nothing could prevent the result the 6,600 crowd wanted to see, though, and the 7-2 favourite won by two lengths

On his breathless return to the winner's enclosure, McCoy was quick to state he would definitely not be taking part in anything similar again - with only one caveat.

"That's definitely it now unless JP (McManus, McCoy's former boss) tells me I've got to ride for him!" he said.

"It was never in doubt. Everything went to plan, although it always does when you win.

"He travelled and we know he stays well. I'm having a bit of a blow now, but it's for a great cause.

"Fair play to Jack Berry. He's done all the hard work and the Injured Jockeys Fund are benefiting, but Jack bullied me into it.

"When I retired that was the end but when I saw Jack in Malton I couldn't really say no.

"Days like this make me realise how lucky I was doing it for 20 years, I've really missed it but it's over now, that's it.

"I'm not sure what I'll do now. I've been playing golf for five months with all the best gear like the rest, but I'm useless so it makes me think all my success was down to the horses.

"It's been nice to take part, it's been a great day - but it's nice to win!

"The satisfaction was at the winning post. There was no pressure today but I wanted to win. I know the only thing that makes me happy is winning. All the fun is in winning."

Gannicus is trained by Brendan Powell, an old ally of McCoy's and someone with whom he has shared plenty of success down the years.

Powell said: "It's all worked out great. That's the 46th winner he's ridden for me now.

"This horse won at Brighton for Jenny (Powell's daughter), but the handicapper only put him 1lb, which meant we could just scrape into this as he went up to 70 and it's a 0-70.

"He's not been in a competitive race like this and he was probably in front soon enough, but one crack from AP is about the equivalent of six from Jenny and it made his mind up.

"It's great for Jack's charity and this has given me a lot of pleasure. It's nearly as good as the winners in Dubai."

Berry said: "It couldn't have worked out any better. To do it on a horse for one of his best friends is great and I must give my thanks to Fred Done (bookmaker) who has bid £15,000 for the saddle AP used today."