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Comeback victory for champion jockey McCoy in charity race

n ENCORE: Back for one day only – AP McCoy takes victory in a race in aid of charity at the St Leger Festival in Doncaster
n ENCORE: Back for one day only – AP McCoy takes victory in a race in aid of charity at the St Leger Festival in Doncaster n ENCORE: Back for one day only – AP McCoy takes victory in a race in aid of charity at the St Leger Festival in Doncaster

CHAMPION jump jockey Tony McCoy was back in the saddle yesterday after coming out of retirement for 'just one last race'.

While retirement usually allows for encores, but this charity race was definitely the last hurrah, the Moneyglass record breaker has assured.

And as expected it was a vintage performance from McCoy with the 20-time champion jockey leaving the competition in his wake in a charity race in Doncaster.

McCoy made a victorious one-off comeback with victory aboard Gannicus in the Clipper Logistics Leger Legends Classified Stakes.

McCoy had been persuaded by Jack Berry to take part in the straight-mile contest in aid of the Northern Racing college and the Injured Jockeys Fund's Jack Berry House.

However, after the race, he declared it was definitely time to hang up his boots.

McCoy said: "That's definitely it now unless JP (McManus, McCoy's former boss) tells me I've got to ride for him!"

He added: "Fair play to Jack Berry. He's done all the hard work and the Injured Jockeys' Fund are benefitting, but Jack bullied me into it."

The racing legend rolled back the years – or should it be months – by steering Gannicus (7-2 favourite), trained by former jump jockey Brendan Powell, home in front.

McCoy had his mount tucked away in the early stages before making his move at halfway and taking the lead two furlongs out.

Having grabbed the stands' side rail, McCoy kept Gannicus up to his work and the four-year-old galloped all the way to the line to score by two lengths from Next Stop (16-1), partnered by Classic-winning rider Billy Newnes.

McCoy said: "It was never in doubt. Everything went to plan, although it always does when you win."

He added: "He travelled and we know he stays well. I'm having a bit of a blow now but it's for a great cause."

In April, McCoy retired with 4,000 wins and 20 titles to his name, but said he would "love to ride forever."

He said at the time: "I worry about it every day. Waking up and thinking ‘what am I going to do today?’ I’m going to take the summer off and see how I feel."

The Co Antrim man added: "Will I need something else to drive me mad? I could say the future will be fine, but there’s no point. I won’t know until it happens."

In stark contrast, the rest of the family expressed their relief that his racing career was ending.

Wife Chanelle said: "What he does is so dangerous. Really, I would trade every win that he has ever had just to get him home in one piece."