Planetoid does job under McCoy

The gambled-on Planetoid easily landed the money at Newton Abbot on Wednesday but with Tony McCoy in the saddle rather than Mattie Batchelor who had been down to ride in the morning papers.

Available to small money at 4/1 on betting exchanges early in the day, he opened at 3/1 with bookmakers in the morning but was quickly backed down at all rates, opening on course at 5/6, the price at which he was eventually returned.

A smart performer on the Flat, he had shown little aptitude for hurdling in six previous starts but returned transformed after a 169-day absence from the track.

Minutes before the race, news filtered though that booked jockey Batchelor would miss the ride (trainer Jim Best reporting the rider had experienced "car trouble") and McCoy was drafted in instead.

But there were no further dramas in the race and Planetoid comfortably made all to win by five lengths.

"We always liked him when we got him, but his jumping was just terrible. We haven't run him for six months, we've just worked on his jumping all that time and it's paid off - I think he has appreciated the better ground too," Best told At The Races.

"I feel sorry for Mattie, who couldn't get here, as he has done a lot of the work on him, but it was good to get AP.

"Hopefully he can go on from this now and show himself to be the horse we hoped he would be. At this time of year, hopefully we can win with a penalty."

The Stewards held an inquiry after the race to consider the apparent improvement in form of the winner.

According to the official report, Best "stated that the gelding had problems with his jumping last year and has been given a break in order to re-school him over hurdles. He further added that Planetoid was suited by this quicker ground and running for the first time in a handicap".

His comments were forwarded to the British Horseracing Authority and the horse was ordered to be routine-tested.

McCoy didn't have long to celebrate the win as he was brought back down to earth in the following contest when taking a heavy fall from Amuse Me in the early stages. Thankfully he was able to get to his feet and walked away with no serious injuries.