RACING: Lough Coi gets better of Hussar (From Bicester Advertiser)

RACING: Lough Coi gets better of Hussar

12:00pm Thursday 7th February 2013 in Sport By Russell Smith, Sports reporter specialising in horse racing. Call me on 01865 425453

Lough Coi landed a Leicester race full of drama for Tony Middleton’s Granborough stables, near Grendon Underwood, writes Russell Smith.

The seven-year-old was fortunate not to be stopped in his tracks in the novices’ handicap chase over an extended two and a half miles when Franklin Roosevelt tried to refuse at the first fence and unseated Tony McCoy.

Special Robon, who was leading under Liam Tread-well, then took the wrong course and omitted the wrong fence, entering the straight for the final time.

That left Lough Coi in second, and James Banks’s mount took up the running at the last fence, before holding off Seventh Hussar by three-quarters of a length.

Banks, who now has his claim reduced to 5lb from 7lb, said: “I was pleased he saw the trip out well and he handled the ground. “I think there’s some improvement in him.”