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McCoy outpoints Henderson as stars from racing and football meet for charity

The teams pose for the camera with Nicky Henderson in the centre
The teams pose for the camera with Nicky Henderson in the centreCredit: JTW Equine Images

As Tottenham were beating Manchester City to advance to the Champions League semi-finals, another heavyweight clash was taking place in the football world on Wednesday night when AP McCoy’s XI took on the Unibet Invitation XI in a charity match that raised more than £40,000 for the Injured Jockeys Fund.

Taking place at Cheltenham Town’s Jonny-Rocks Stadium after racing, plenty of star names attended the big game, including former Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp.

Redknapp and former Chelsea captain Dennis Wise took charge of AP McCoy’s XI, which had a blend of talent from both racing and football, including Sir Anthony McCoy himself, Ben Pauling, Lee Hendrie and Calum Best.

Nicky Henderson has proved his mettle training racehorses, but was given a fresh challenge as he was at the helm of the Unibet Invitation XI, aiming to guide the likes of Nico de Boinville, Luke Morris and Paddy Brennan to victory, but the Seven Barrows man was unable to deliver, with the McCoy XI winning 3-2.

"Unfortunately, my men wouldn’t listen to me and we got beaten by those other monsters!" said Henderson. "But it was very good fun and all for a great cause."

The McCoy XI drew first blood courtesy of former Aston Villa midfielder Lee Hendrie, before doubling their lead after half time through dual Grade 1-winning jockey David Bass.

The Unibet boys pulled a goal back before Hendrie restored the two-goal cushion from the spot. Toby Lawes, assistant trainer to Henderson, also scored a penalty in the last minute to give his side an added consolation.

Pauling was glad to have been on the winning side at the Whaddon Road stadium, but even more delighted with the amount of money raised for the IJF.

He said: "They’ve raised something astronomical, like £40,000, which is a fantastic effort from Chris Coley and the rest of the organisers.

"It was great to have everyone there coming together to raise money for the IJF, which of course is a charity close to all of us. A huge thanks also to the managers and footballers to give their time for free and make a great spectacle of the evening."

Of the match, Pauling added: "It was quite evenly matched and is always good fun to be a part of. It seemed to work really well this year and it’s great for people like myself to get out and play a decent game."


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Published on 18 April 2019inNews

Last updated 14:06, 19 April 2019

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