TONY McCoy rattled up a late treble at Stratford last Friday evening after suffering a couple of early setbacks.

The champion jockey, handed five rides by trainer Martin Pipe at George Pragnell Gold Cup night, saw favourites Peter's Two Fun and Rosencrantz fall by the wayside before snatching third on dark Fairy in the third race of the night.

The prolific partnership weren't to be denied and 7/4 shot Horus raced to victory in the £15,000 Handicap Steeple Chase for the Gold Cup on an evening of racing to support the Arthritis Research Campaign.

Owner Andrew Kilpatrick was presented with the cup by Jeremy Pragnell, managing director of George Pragnell Ltd, the Stratford-upon-Avon based jeweller.

Jeremy Pragnell said: "I'm very happy to be able to sponsor such a prestigious event, and to see it held here in Stratford.

"I congratulate the ARC committee on a hugely enjoyable and successful evening."

Jane Lane, of the ARC Committee, said: "This was a memorable evening of summer jumping. It's the first time we have held our summer meeting at Stratford and it has been well supported by local racegoers."

Odds-on chance Polar Champ held off a stiff challenge from Elvis to take the penultimate spoils and McCoy's hat-trick was clinched on another Pipe trained horse when 2/1 favourite Lunar Crystal took the honours in the last.

Local interest was lacking on the night but the final race saw Zeloso and Mistress Millie both run well in good company.

The former, owned by The Paxford Optimists and trained by Milton Harris in the village, finished seventh just ahead of Broom handler, Tony Carroll's six-year-old mare.

Last month was a busy one for Zeloso, a four-year-old gelding, after two fourth place finishes prior to the Luddington Road outing.

The event, which also saw a personality appearance by ever-popular racing legend Desert Orchid, was planned by the Stratford upon Avon support group of the Arthritis Research Campaign (ARC), the UK's only major charity funding research into the causes and treatment of arthritis.

Funds raised will go towards ARC's research chair at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham.

The course stages another meeting today with the first of six races starting at 2.20pm.

Sunday, July 14 promises another bumper crowd to the course for the annual Family Day sponsored by the Coventry Evening Telegraph.