Cheltenham Festival 2015: AQPS chaser gets McCoy off the mark

TONY McCOY got off the mark for the Festival yesterday, thanks to Uxizandre (16-1) the only non-thoroughbred in the Ryanair Chase.

00:10, Fri, Mar 13, 2015 | UPDATED: 07:03, Fri, Mar 13, 2015

AP McCoy won the Ryanair Chase with Uxizandre ACTION

AP McCoy won the Ryanair Chase with Uxizandre

It was another example of how, when stamina comes into play, these French cross-breds are able to dig deeper because of their stronger muscles and bone structure.

Uxizandre utilised his stamina to pull clear of his challengers after the last to give this column its second 16-1 winner in two days. His dam, Jolisandre, was trained outside Angers by Etienne Leenders, who has sold several AQPS fillies to owner Rich Ricci, including Saturday’s Sandown Listed winner Babylone Des Motte.

The obvious star among today’s AQPS runners is Betfred Gold Cup favourite Silviniaco Conti (3.20).

Here are the other ‘AQPS’ horses taking part on the final day of the Festival: 1.30 Baraka De Thaix. 2.05 Aso. 2.40 Arbre De Vie, Avant Tout. 4.40 Vieux Lion Rouge.