Tony McCoy had the bookmakers scared at Taunton yesterday when he rode the winners of the first four races.

Murray River cruised home from Miracle Kid in the opening Black Tom Putt Handicap Hurdle before Tortugas took the Hoary Morning Selling Hurdle.

The reigning champion rider then completed a treble for boss Martin Pipe when Cadougold took advantage of a last-fence fall from What's Up Boys, who was challenging at the time, in the Golden Knob Novices' Chase.

And he went on to wrap up the 36 to 1 four-timer when favourite Cresswell Native cosily landed the Beauty of Bath Mares' Only Novices' Hurdle.

The bookies were starting to sweat at the possibility of McCoy going through the card but Country Store was unable to deliver in the Porters Perfection Handicap Chase as Rollcall stormed home from Damp Course with Country Store back in third place.

With Richard Johnson drawing a blank on the day, McCoy extended his lead at the head of the jockeys' championship, moving onto the 121-winner mark for the season with Johnson stuck 12 away on 109.