McCoy guides Tresor De Mai to Ritz

Ascot`s Ritz Club Chase lost much of its gloss when Tiutchev was a shock withdrawal this morning but champion duo Martin Pipe and Tony McCoy were certainly not complaining as Tresor De Mai took the honours.

Nicky Henderson`s star was a strong fancy to repeat last year`s success in the Grade One contest but he was unable to take part due to a bout of colic, something he suffered badly from last summer.

The nine-year-old, a leading contender for the Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, was taken to the Royal Veterinary College for immediate treatment.

A dejected Henderson said: 'Johnny, my travelling head lad, rang me and said the horse just wasn`t comfortable and was pawing at the ground. I said I`ll get in the car and you call a vet.

'The vet rang me to say there was absolutely no way he would be able to run.'

His absence led to Venetia Williams` Banker Count going off as 5-4 favourite but it was McCoy who sealed the day after setting sail turning for home in the extended two mile, three furlong event.

Banker Count was a spent force as Tresor De Mai (9-2) sailed over the final two flights for an emphatic 11 lengths triumph, recording his third success here in the process.

Celibate cut out much of the running and plugged on for third.

'Tony gave him a brilliant ride,' said Pipe. 'He was disappointing over further at Doncaster last time so we dropped him back in trip and came back to Ascot which he seems to like.

'I was glad Tiutchev wasn`t in the race but I just hope for his connections that he is alright.

'He loved the ground, jumped well and kept going. He won`t go to Cheltenham though. He`s had a tough race here and it`s too soon.'

McCoy had ironically considered riding at Warwick this afternoon and giving the Berkshire card a miss.

He said: 'I had actually been wanting to go to Warwick all week to ride Hit and Run but I felt the ground might be a bit soft for him and we had a few here with chances.

'I suppose you should go where the big races are and this one wasn`t without a chance. It just proves that the man has one every Saturday. Every big race he has one for it.'