After waiting for 15 days, Tony McCoy finally gets his 3,000 jumps winner riding Restless D’Artaix at Plumpton on Monday. It was the wet and cold weather that lead to the abandonment of races,  coupled with some unlucky losses that had left McCoy stranded at the 2,998 mark for more than ten days.

It was with high hopes for all his four rides that McCoy reached the East Sussex course. However the relentless rain made riding on a very wet ground a real challenge; and weakened McCoy’s first chance of victory on Excape at the Weatherbys Bank Juvenile Novice’s Hurdle.

He also nearly pulled off a win at the Chris Poole and George Ennor Memorial Handicap Hurdle on a horse that was not keen on winning. Then McCoy looked confident of reaching his 3000^th jump at the Weatherbys Cheltenham Festival Betting Guide 2009 Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle.

He partnered the favorite Miss Sarenne for the race, and needed to make the last jump when clear; however she buckled on landing and McCoy tumbled on the turf. McCoy had to wait for another half an hour for his prize winning jump in the Tyser & Co Beginners’ Chase.

Though Restless D’Artaix had only one run in over three years, he was a more than respectable hurdler and managed to beat the Package and Timmy Murphy by a length, and with it a huge sigh of relief from AP. With this jump, McCoy was warmly congratulated by his fellow riders and despite the continuous rain, was given three cheers by the crowd.