Tony McCoy's quest for his 1000th-career success hit the buffers at Ludlow yesterday when the champion jockey failed to find the winner's circle in five attempts.

That leaves the reigning champion still three short as he bids to become only the fifth National Hunt rider to reach four figures.

Beaumont was sent of 1 to 3 favourite to get the McCoy ball rolling in the opening claiming hurdle but the horse was back peddling before halfway and finished only 12th to Mr Pipeman.

Virtuoso was favourite for the novice chase but his jumping was far from fluent and McCoy performed a rodeo act to keep the partnership intact following a monumental blunder at the eighth fence before finishing last of the five finishers behind Polydamas.

Phar Less Hassle could only manage fifth behind Nigello in the novice handicap chase for the champion jockey, while Select Star was sent off 1 to 2 favourite to lift the novices handicap hurdle before going down by half-a-length to Welsh Lad and finishing sore.

McCoy's final chance of a winner was wrecked when Fare Dealing could plug on for only third spot behind the impressive Gianluca in the concluding bumper.

McCoy has four rides at Cheltenham today, all for the Martin Pipe stable.