AP McCoy picked up an unwanted pre-Cheltenham holiday when he was banned for four days for excessive use of the whip on his only ride at Leicester on Thursday.
The champion jockey, who has only recently returned from a lengthy lay-off after breaking his ribs in a fall, fell foul of the new whip rules when driving Prince Of Pirates into a dead heat in a thrilling finish to the Cavalry Novices Limited Handicap Chase.
He was banned from March 1-4 inclusive for using his whip with excessive frequency.
McCoy, partnering the Nicky Henderson-trained 9-4 favourite Prince Of Pirates, got on level terms in the very last stride of the two mile seven furlong race to earn half of the spoils in a pulsating duel to the line with his long-time rival Richard Johnson on the 4-1 shot Brackloon High.
Brackloon High’s trainer, Johnson’s father-in-law Noel Chance, said the horse could well be targeted at the Kim Muir Challenge Cup at Cheltenham.
McCoy’s misfortune was in contrast to another of his long-term rivals, Ruby Walsh, who took advantage of Davy Russell’s suspension to pick up a double at Clonmel.
Walsh took over the plum ride on the 1-7 favourite Edeymi and then scored on Bishopsfurze (4-9) for Willie Mullins.
