Racing: Carberry early warning for McCoy

Tony McCoy today starts his campaign to win a third straight jump jockeys' title with three rides at Perth, including two for Irish trainer Billy Rock.

The new season reopens this afternoon just five days after the old one closed at Market Rasen. But champion trainer Martin Pipe, who supplied 77 of McCoy's 190 winners last season, waits until Southwell and Worcester on Saturday before having his first runners this time around.

McCoy receives an early indication at Perth today that rival Pal Carberry is likely to make a bold bid for the jockeys' championship this term, having managed 61 winners in an injury-hit 1996-1997.

Their colleague Rodney Farrant revealed yesterday that he is very confident of being back in action before the end of the June.

But Farrant will return tipping the scales just a bit heavier. He has been told he will have to keep for good two plates and six pins in his right hand - broken in four places in a bad fall at Ludlow on 19 March.

Double Trigger is also on the comeback trail. Hopes are rising that Mark Johnston's stayer will run in the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot on 19 June. He won the race two years ago.

A workout by Double Trigger is planned for Pontefract on Monday to test his well-being. He has been under a cloud since finishing last in the Sagaro Stakes at Ascot on his reappearance.