Tellytrack- Please cover the Galway festival!

That man again !

On the subject of that man again.

Tony McCoy switches mounts in Galway Plate

TONY McCOY will ride Finger Onthe Pulse in Wednesday's Thetote.com Galway Plate as his original mount, Dancing Tornado, was withdrawn from the race on Wednesday morning.

Dancing Tornado had been aimed at the race since refusing in the Powers Whiskey Irish Grand National in April, but trotted out lame and cannot run.

His defection meanstrainer David Marnane can run first reserve Hampstead Heath.



He said: "That's a stroke of luck I didn't think we'd have. Unfortunately our amatuer, James Casey, injured himself last week so he can't ride him, Kevin Colemanwon a hurdle race on him and is a good substitute.

"It's a big step up for the horse, but we're glad to be there with a chance and he's a good, slick jumper, so we have one advantage."

Coleman took the prize in 2007 with the Liam Burke-trained Sir Frederick.

As Hampstead Heath runs, Tuesday winner Invisible Man, who was second reserve, looks set to miss the Galway Festival feature.

Determined McCoy lands Galway Plate on Finger
Did you see this race the man is very very special

Report: Galway, Wednesday

www.thetote.com Galway Plate (Grade A) 4yo+, 2m6f

TONY McCOY won his first Galway Plate on the Tom Taaffe-trained Finger Onthe Pulse, a 22-1 shot, after a thrilling finish in which the British champion jockey held at bay market-leaders Majestic Concorde and Themoonandsixpence.


McCoy had been due to ride Michael Hourigan's Dancing Tornado, but was forced to swap after his first-choice mount was withdrawn lame on Wednesday morning.


It was belated compensation for McCoy, who missed out on the winning ride on Far From Trouble in 2006 after sustaining an injury earlier on Plate day. And he rode at Ballybrit in the manner of a man determined to claim the prize fate had snatched away four years ago.

McCoy deployed the bold strategy of cutting out the pace at the head of the 20-runner field, originally 22-strong but reduced by one at the start when Hampstead Heath planted his hooves and then one further when Grand Slam Hero fell at the first.

The pace was moderate for most of the opening two miles, the action underwhelming, but the final three fences brought a brilliant clash of well-backed fancies and the famous McCoy grit.

First to launch his assault was 7-1 Themoonandsixpence, who took it up on the approach to the home turn, but McCoy and Finger Onthe Pulse fought back gamely.

Then, as the front pair went wide round the turn, came Majestic Concorde, the representative of Galway festival king Dermot Weld, and race-favourite at 3-1.

But neither of the fancied runners could get the better of Finger Onthe Pulse in a captivating finish.

For Finger Onthe Pulse it was a first major success since pipping Barbers Shop to the Jewsonat the 2008 Cheltenham Festival, and his first win since October of the same year.

McCoy said: "His form was uninspiring but he was running well at Punchestown when I fell off.

"I jumped him out and he really enjoyed himself up front. I kept a bit in reserve for the final climb and he kept responding."

JP McManus, owner of both McCoy's original ride and the winner, said: "It’s very, very special.

"I said have your fiver each-way he’ll give you a good run for your money, but I didn’t even have that on him myself. Nonetheless I’m very, very happy.

"Full marks to Tom [Taaffe] as he had him looking tremendous. He did say I don’t believe I could have him in better form. I’m very happy."

Tom Taaffe, himself celebrating a first Plate, said: "To be honest, I just wanted this horse to lose those dreadful form figures - FFU.

"But he battled real well under a fantastic ride from Tony McCoy.

"This is my first Plate - I can hardly believe it."