RACING:Tony McCoy will have to wait another day to reach 3,000 winners after being beaten into second place on the first of his two rides at Sandown.
His mount Eric’s Charm was beaten by Can’t Buy Time, who ironically is owned by his employer owner JP McManus, leaving McCoy still two short of the magic figure.
As McCoy was unable to do the weight on Can’t Buy Time, it was 7lb claimer Richard McLernon who took the ride on the Jonjo O’Neill-trained gelding in the totesport.com Masters Handicap Chase.
The perennial champion got the leg up on Oliver Sherwood’s Eric’s Charm and he set out to make all the running over this extended three miles.
His mount answered McCoy’s every call, jumping with great gusto and putting his rivals under pressure some way out.
But he could not see off Can’t Buy Time, the 4-1 favourite making smooth progress to lead at the final fence to win by six lengths. Eric’s Charm kept on gamely to hold Lacdoudal by a neck for the runner-up spot.
Celestial Halo warmed up for the Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle by claiming Osana's scalp as the 1-2 favourite in the Totepool Contenders Listed Hurdle.
Last year's Triumph winner was put in his place by Champion Hurdle favourite Binocular last time out, but managed to pick up Osana and hold off David Pipe's seasonal debutant by three and a half lengths.
Winning trainer Paul Nicholls said: "He was straight enough but I have left plenty to work on.
"This will sharpen him up a lot. There are six weeks to the Champion Hurdle and this is just what the doctor ordered.
"This race was perfect timing and it is great to get a run in at this time of the year and leave a bit in the tank."
Pipe was represented by his father Martin, who said of Osana: "I am very pleased and thought that was a great run giving the winner 4lb.
"He jumped well in testing old ground and can only improve.
"He will definitely come on for the run, and you would love to take the winner on again at level weights."