Wahiba Sands can be the Ascot victor

Lydia Hislop13 April 2012

Tony McCoy's rare fitness battle has thrown betting for tomorrow's Victor Chandler Chase at Ascot into further turmoil. At 50-50 to line up, ante-post favourite Young Devereux is perhaps the less likely participant. As one weighing-room colleague has put it, with little exaggeration: if McCoy's not dead, he'll ride.

Our six-time champion National Hunt jockey is chasing the record for a season's fastest double-century.

Poised on 199 since Tuesday, he must be passed fit by the attendant doctor if he's to ride at Huntingdon today. Amazingly in such a hazardous profession, McCoy last lost a day to injury on 31 January 2001.

But trainer Martin Pipe has already wondered aloud whether he'll need to find a deputy for Wahiba Sands in the Berkshire track's £60,000 feature event.

McCoy's trio of falls at Newbury on Wednesday culminated with a kick to the head that required stitches.

He typically passed through the pain barrier to ride three times at Wincanton yesterday, without success, but gave up his remaining mounts on medical advice when his bruised neck became too stiff to bear.

The 27-year-old has until 18 February to beat his own current record for the fastest 200.

But he's intent on a modern miracle by beating Sir Gordon Richards' record of 269 winners in a season, set on the Flat in 1947. It had been thought that milestone could stand for all time. Now, incredibly, it looks vulnerable.

Wahiba Sands has already twice contributed to McCoy's tally this term, both at this same track.

The champion needed to be at his unrelenting best to register their latest triumph, reeling in a faltering Get Real by three-quarters of a length after getting outpaced two out.

Get Real has strict claims of reversal on 1lb better terms. But breathing problems contribute to his increasingly marked tendency for weak finishing and, aged 11, Nicky Henderson's chaser looks on a downward curve. His rating is dropping accordingly, but perhaps not quickly enough.

Conversely, Wahiba Sands is in peak form. He was a smart hurdler, but came of age as a chaser when a narrow second to Aghawadda Gold at Aintree last April, despite a blunder four out that should rightly have ended all chance.

In November, he also beat King George runner-up, Best Mate, albeit receiving 20lb.

Unbeaten in four starts at Ascot, half his total career wins over jumps, Wahiba Sands also holds one of the more realistic chances among nine horses in this line-up also entered in the Queen Mother Champion Chase at March's Cheltenham Festival.

Given those ambitions, Young Devereux and Turgeonev merit respect at these weights.

Rain hasn't eased the ground enough for the former, whose tight odds reflect potential rather than achievement. But the latter's cheeky style of winning makes him difficult for the handicapper to assess. He may be a step ahead.

However, Davoski could be the main danger. He's well treated by the handicapper, goes well fresh and travels sweetly.

Tendon injury caused his lacklustre seventh in this race last year and trainer Venetia Williams - in scorching form lately - will have him spot on, despite his 12-month absence.

Killultagh Storm appreciates this sound surface and boasts solid form in his native Ireland. An unnerving early error may have caused his poor show last time.

Redemption is progressive, but these tough fences resurrected bad old habits under pressure behind Wahiba Sands last month.

Exit Swinger lacks pace for this trip and Cenkos lacks heart, although he was second to Function Dream off a 3lb lower mark in last year's renewal.

Tresor De Mai, the 1999 Arkle Chase runner-up, is interesting, returned to his old trip, but makes too many mistakes. Lord York is out of sorts and Wave Rock harshly weighted.

Selections: 1, Wahiba Sands; 2, Davoski; 3, Turgeonev.

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