Niche Market and Denman jump together at Newbury

Hot favourite Denman unseated champion jockey Tony McCoy in the Aon Chase at Newbury as stablemate Tricky Trickster claimed a shock win from Niche Market.

McCoy, riding the 2008 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner for the first time, was unshipped at the third-last fence.

Trainer Paul Nicholls said the beaten 1-6 Aon favourite remains on course for a Gold Cup rematch with Kauto Star.

Meanwhile, dual champion chaser Master Minded survived a dramatic last-fence blunder to win the Game Spirit Chase.

McCoy earned a consolation on so-called 'Super Saturday' when he rode the Jonjo O'Neill-trained Get Me Out Of Here to a comfortable victory in the Totesport Trophy.

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He had earlier looked set for a straightforward success on Hennessy winner Denman before his mount clattered a fence four from home.

Ruby Walsh, who had partnered Denman to a memorable weight-defying Hennessy win at Newbury, rode the 8-1 winner Tricky Trickster, who was installed as favourite for the Grand National.

A week earlier, Walsh had decided to side with 2007 and 2009 Gold Cup winner Kauto Star in next month's third instalment of his duel with next-door neighbour Denman.

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Denman's owners Paul Barber and Harry Findlay recruited 14-times champion McCoy to take the ride, but they could hardly have predicted what would unfold.

McCoy looked in cruise control until four out when he hammered the fence before a blunder at the next unshipped him.

Tricky Trickster found a second wind for Walsh and flew up the straight to peg back Niche Market by a short head.

Bookmakers reacted by cutting Tricky Trickster to general 12-1 favourite for the Grand National at Aintree in April.

Walsh clings on despite last-fence blunder

Kauto Star hardened to 4-5 from 5-4 for the Gold Cup, while Denman is 3-1 from 2-1.

Trainer Nicholls said: "The main thing is Denman's 100% okay. He's not distressed and he's not got a mark on him. He just made a mistake and then another and that was the end of it.

"It happens from time to time in racing. We'll get him back. We've been there before."

Walsh said: "I'm a bit shocked really. I didn't think AP (McCoy) looked overly happy with him throughout."

The jockey was at the centre of more drama when Master Minded produced a brilliant performance on his comeback from injury before a dramatic mistake when well clear at the last.

Walsh, who blamed himself for the error, was nearly catapulted out of the saddle, but clung on to clinch victory on the 8-13 favourite.

'Super Saturday' main race results

Aon Chase
1 Tricky Trickster (Paul Nicholls) Ruby Walsh 8-1
2 Niche Market 25-1
6 ran. Distances: Short head, 18 lengths

Totesport Trophy
1 Get Me Out of Here (Jonjo O'Neill) Tony McCoy 6-1
2 Ronaldo Des Mottes 14-1
3 Manyriverstocross 6-1
4 Mamlook 11-2 fav
23 ran. Distances: 1¾ lengths; 6 lengths

Game Spirit Chase
1 Master Minded (Paul Nicholls) Ruby Walsh 8-13 fav
2 Mahogany Blaze 14-1
5 ran. Distances: 13 lengths; 1¼ lengths

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