MONEYGLASS man Tony McCoy had a dream ride on Mr Mulligan to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup yesterday.
His mount led or disputed the lead most of the way and pulled right away from the last to win by an amazing nine lengths at odds of 20-1. 'Barton Bank' chased the winner home with the best of the Irish 'Doran's Pride' in third.
The win completed a fabulous Festival double for McCoy who joined an elite band of jockeys to land the Champion Hurdle and Cheltenham Gold Cup double in the same season.
And McCoy also won the London Clubs Charity Trophy for the leading rider of the meeting. He ended the fixture with three winners, the same number as Richard Dunwoody, but his three second places, compared to none for Dunwoody, were enough to secure the prize. Jamie Osborne, who rode two winners, finished third.
McCoy, whose season was put in doubt by serious injury two months ago, put the seal on a remarkable comeback steering 'Mr Mulligan' to a stunning success. Just three days ago the 22- year-old celebrated a Champion Hurdle triumph on 'Make A Stand'.
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Omagh Town manager Roy McCreadie will start in the Tyrone side's Bass Irish Cup quarter-final clash with Limavady United tomorrow.
Speculation was rife earlier this week that the 38-year-old would include himself in the squad to face the 'B' division side simply as back-up cover, but last night he confirmed he will be starting the game.
"This is a vital game for us and I feel that my experience could help the team get to the semi-finals," he said.
The former Portadown star hasn't played an Irish League game for Omagh in over a year but says he's in good shape for coming out of retirement at St Julian's Road tomorrow (3pm): "I've been training away with the lads and I'm looking forward to it."
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Donegal GAA 'keeper Paul Callaghan returns to the side, and they are further strengthened by the return of Michael McGill and Michael Johnston.
Reigning Ulster U21 champions Cavan have named a strong line-up as they prepare to defend their Ulster crown against Donegal (Cootehill, 3pm).
Martin McHugh has no less than six players who are regulars in the senior team with another two from the senior panel. There are nine of last year's team still eligible to play for the U21s and the Breffni youngsters are tipped to do well again this year.
As expected Down will be without the injured Simon Poland for their clash with Fermanagh's U21s. Manager Anthony King, though, has the experienced Sean Ward to call on, who has played with the Down seniors this year.
Ward, along with the Doyle brothers Kieran and Martin, along with Rory Mussen all played for Burren in the Ulster club semi-final with Crossmaglen this year.
Gerard Cavlan will be Tyrone's main target man as they take on Antrim U21s (Dungannon, 3pm). As reported earlier in the week, Colin Holmes is ruled out after breaking his collar bone at the weekend while Emmet McGinley and Peter Loughran are suspended.
Cavan U21s: A Donohue; A Oates, M Reilly, C McCarey; B Donohue, P Murphy, T Reilly; D McCabe, S Donnelly; J Coffey, A Forde, C McGovern; J Reilly, C Collins, L Reilly.
Down U21s: P Travers; P Sloan, B Kelly, C McConville; C McLaughlin, M Doyle, K Doyle; S Ward (capt.), E Woods; R Mussen, P McShane, J Morgan; C Daly, S Caulfield, D Burns. Subs: E McConville, M McMurray, M McGeown, B Dougherty, G Cull, D McCartan, P Cunningham, B King, C O'Hare, T Morgan, S Poland, E O'Hagan.
Tyrone U21s: P McConnell; T Donnelly, V Teague, F Coyle; B Meenagh, M O'Neill, K Devlin; C Jordan, G Cavlan; S Corr, B Eccles, N McSorley; S Douglas, D Gillis, B McGuckin.
