McCOY TO MISS ASCOT FEATURE

Tony McCoy will miss Ascot`s Victor Chandler Chase meeting a week on Saturday after being handed a one-day whip ban by the Taunton stewards today.

The champion jockey was adjudged to have hit Alfs Classic in an incorrect place on the flank and was suspended for Saturday January 13 and misses the Ascot showpiece as a result.

The four-year-old filly was eventually pulled up after three out when tailed off in the opening New Year Juvenile Novices` Handicap Hurdle.

McCoy was unhappy about the stewards` decision and fumed: 'I hit the horse three times but only once in the back hand position. I think they have been a bit harsh but it seems they like being harsh with me.'

Explaining the one-day ban stewards` secretary Rachel Tonks said: 'We are given recommended levels of penalties and one or two in the wrong place is a caution but three times is a day`s ban.

'The stewards deliberated whether he should have a caution or a day but a majority decision decided it should be a day.'

Alfs Classic`s trainer Martin Pipe was unhappy about McCoy`s ban and said: 'I hadn`t looked at the race or the other races on at Ascot that day yet but obviously Tony being banned will affect any riding plans that I have for that day.'

McCoy was not the only jockey to face the wrath of the stewards after the race as fellow rider Rodi Greene was given a two-day ban (Jan 13 and 15) for using his stick with excessive frequency on the winner Titus Bramble who had six lengths to spare over The Walrus.

The win proved a welcome success for trainer Paul Ritchens who had endured a barren spell for over a year.

But Greene still had something to smile about as he went on to notch a double aboard Just Jasmine in the Tote Placepot Handicap Chase. Kevin Bishop`s mud-loving mare was following up her win in the race 12 months ago as she ploughed 12 lengths clear of Murray`s Million.

Bishop said: 'She won the race last year in the mud as well and this year the prize money for winning is just the same. Funny that? As everything else like the training and transport etc seems to have gone up.'

Former racehorse transport boss Bob Carson`s expression changed from a big smile to barely holding back tears after Brooksie stuck on gamely for Sam Stronge to better Rajati in the Hangover Selling Hurdle and give him a first winner as a trainer.

Carson was elated as he declared: 'I thought we might never have a winner as we`ve had so many seconds and thirds and have been knocking at the door so it`s absolutely great to get there at last after five years with a permit.'

But his mood change radically following the subsequent auction as the winner was knocked down to fellow trainer Karen George for 2,100 guineas with Carson apparently unaware there had been a bid.

Pipe has endured a quiet spell by his own high standards but Sweet Iron came to his rescue with a three-length defeat of Colombian Green in the Orchard Restaurant Cherry Brandy Maiden Hurdle.

The champion trainer said: 'It`s very nice to get my first winner of the New Year as some idiots were trying to write me off!

'His owner Tim Healy-Hutchinson is on holiday in Mauritius at the moment so he`ll be ringing soon to find out how the horse got on.'

Conditional jockey Henry Oliver teamed up with trainer Dai Williams to collect the Paddock Bar Sloe Gin Novices` Handicap Chase with Robbie`s Adventure who had a length and a quarter to spare from Millyhenry after hitting the front four out.

Paul Nicholls` Julie`s Leader, partnered by Polly Gundry, took the concluding Winning Post Bar Handicap Hurdle after drawing well clear of his leg-weary rivals up the straight. He eventually beat Nazzaro by 16 lengths.