Champion jockey Tony McCoy fancied to chalk up a double at Wetherby (From Gazette & Herald)

Champion jockey Tony McCoy fancied to chalk up a double at Wetherby

10:25am Thursday 24th May 2012 in Sport By Tom O'Ryan, Racing journalist

TONY McCOY heads to Wetherby today and looks set to keep his many fans happy by figuring among the winners.

The multiple champion is fancied to chalk up a double on Eastlake and Well Sharp, both trained by Jonjo O’Neill.

Eastlake, twice a winner over hurdles and also successful in a bumper, made a winning start to his fencing career at Uttoxeter three weeks ago, scoring in the style of a horse who can go on to better things.

The Life & Style Novices’ Chase is the target for Eastlake, who is fancied to win again, at the main expense of another recent winner Court In Session, trained by Martin Keighley.

Well Sharp makes his jumping debut in the Best Dressed Lady Novices’ Hurdle.

Formerly trained in North Yorkshire by Michael Dods, Well Sharp developed into a 90-rated handicapper on the Flat.

Sent to Tattersalls Sales at Newmarket last October, he changed hands for a collosal 250,000gns.

It is to be hoped, with that price tag around his neck, that he is capable of winning this £4,000 event.

The Magic Bishop should go well in the HA Fox Jaguar Leeds Handicap.

A half-brother to According To Pete, Malcolm Jefferson’s high-class and ultra-popular gelding who tragically lost his life in the Grand National last month, The Magic Bishop finished a creditable fourth at Kelso on his latest start. He can capitalize on his light weight here in the hands of Harry Haynes.

Lucy Alexander, female riding sensation of the north, teams up with Velvet Vic, a Newcastle winner in March, in the opening jct600.co.uk Lady Riders’ Handicap, and has good prospects of scoring on Richard Guest’s runner.

Alexander switches to Flat racing at Catterick tomorow evening and also boasts a fighting chance on Sharp Shoes in the Support The House That Jack Built Apprentice Handicap.

Sledmere trainer Declan Carroll can clinch the Leslie Petch Handicap with Yahrab, the mount of Graham Gibbons.

The seven-year-old produced a gutsy performance to win at Thirsk recently, beating the odds-on favourite Lordofthehouse in a photo-finish at odds of 28-1.

He will not, alas, be allowed to start at such generous odds this time, but, raised only 4lb for that success, Yahrab is napped to oblige again.

Tim Easterby has a couple of chances on the card. Annie Gogh, who shaped well on her debut to finish fourth at Ripon, merits a second chance on a sounder surface in the British Stallion Studs Supporting British Racing Maiden Fillies’ Stakes, while Lost In Paris is not to be underestimated in the Pin Point Recruitment Handicap over five furlongs, despite his wide draw.

The Great Habton gelding, a previous course-and-distance winner, finished an encouraging fourth on his reappearance at Musselburgh this season before losing all chance at the start when missing the break at Epsom next time.

Racing selections

Wetherby (today)

2.10 Velvet Vic, 2.45 Western Bound, 3.20 Eastlake, 3.55 Well Sharp, 4.30 The Magic Bishop, 5.05 Jolly Roger, 5.40 Double Silver.

Today’s other meetings

Goodwood, Haydock, Salisbury and Sandown.

Catterick (tomorrow)

6.35 Sharp Shoes, 7.05 Annie Gogh, 7.35 Point At Issue, 8.05 Lost In Paris, 8.35 Yahrab (NAP), 9.05 Dutch Rose.

Tomorrow’s other meetings

Goodwood, Haydock, Musselburgh, Towcester and Yarmouth.