TONY MCCOY was ruled out of action for the weekend after being stood down for concussion at Taunton yesterday afternoon. McCoy's mount Iktasab fell at the final flight of the West Hatch Novices' Hurdle when in fifth place and he was badly kicked by another runner in the melee.

McCoy lay motionless for a while but eventually walked away from the incident to be brought back in an ambulance.

After being checked over by the doctor, McCoy was found to be suffering from concussion and was told he would not be able to ride for the rest of the afternoon, today or tomorrow.

Course doctor Roger Lambert said: "McCoy will miss the next two days as the rules state that if the concussion is of a minor nature the jockey cannot ride for three days.

As well as giving up his remaining five rides yesterday, McCoy will forego four mounts at Cheltenham today as well as all booked rides at Lingfield tomorrow.

It compounds a miserable week for McCoy, who had to give up his sole intended ride at Leicester on Wednesday after being bruised in a fall at Plumpton on Tuesday.

. Andrew Thornton will be in the hotseat when the Grand National winner Rough Quest returns to action at Haydock tomorrow. He steps in for the ride in the Tommy Whittle Chase because Mick Fitzgerald, superb when steering Rough Quest to victory at Aintree last March, is required at Cheltenham.

Trainer Terry Casey is unconcerned that a new jockey will be partnering his gelding. "Andrew hasn't been able to school the horse but he's an uncomplicated ride and it shouldn't be a problem," he said.

Rough Quest is being thrown into the deep end on his return to action as he will have to cross swords with One Man. Kadi has also been confirmed a starter tomorrow.

"I couldn't be more pleased with him but he's a big burly horse and he's going to need the run," he said. "The main thing is that he completes the course in one piece. We want to aim Rough Quest at the King George and then we have both the Gold Cup and Grand National in mind."