McCoy out of luck

Tony McCoy drew a rare blank at Newcastle today.

The Ulsterman, making only his second visit of the campaign to Gosforth Park, was beaten on both mounts and remains 46 winners behind Sir Gordon Richards` record total of 269 in a season.

McCoy, who rode a treble from four mounts on his previous outing to Newcastle last November, took a fall at the 14th fence on Charlie Banker in the Ramside Event Catering Handicap Chase.

Then in the St Modwen British Bred Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race he was hard at work a quarter mile from home on Raygale, who passed the post second seven lengths behind comfortable winner Point.

The Irishman had ridden a treble on three of the four previous racing days and will bid to get his record bid back on track at Towcester tomorrow, when he partners the Martin Pipe-trained Villa, Graham McCourt`s Catfish Keith and Philip Hobbs`s hat-trick-seeking Possible Pardon.

Nephite donned a nose strap to score at Newcastle today - only to have the device ruled illegal.

He was fitted with a 'nose-flare', modelled on the accessory made famous by athletes and footballers, in order to improve his breathing.

And fittingly it solved the gelding`s finishing problems as he put up a career-best performance to win the Chisholm Bookmakers Novices` Handicap Chase.

Sent on from halfway by Richard Guest, he never looked like stopping and eventually passed the post six lengths clear of runner-up Giolla Valley.

But there was a sting in the tail for Guest as the stewards ruled the device was against the rules.

Stewards` secretary Phil Tuck said: 'Nephite was wearing a nasal dilator contrary to instruction D18 which states that it is not allowed. Mr Mason will be fined Stg£220.'

Jockey Club spokesman John Maxse said: 'Since it has been put into the rules, it doesn`t and, never has, brought with it automatic disqualification. It is just a breach of the rules.

'Obviously if there was a repeated abuse by a trainer the fines would accumulate and it would result in a referral to Portman Square.'

Guest said: 'It`s a shame as it works. I knew nothing about it but it is against the rules and I have no qualms about it.'