Tony McCoy faces an even stiffer task than was first expected as he goes in search of his 3,000th jumps winner at Sandown on Saturday, after one of his three intended mounts was declared a non-runner.

The 34-year-old champion jockey, who reached 2,998 career winners with a victory at Wincanton on Thursday, endured frustration when Chepstow's meeting on Friday was abandoned, and he will head to Esher needing to win on both of his remaining rides.

His other mount, Afrad, has been ruled out of the £4 million totescoop6 Handicap Hurdle after going lame.

McCoy's first race today is the totesport.com Master Handicap Chase, with trainer Oliver Sherwood pleased to have a rare chance to use McCoy on Eric's Charm, who has put in some of his best efforts at the course.

Sherwood said: "AP (McCoy) rode him a lot as a youngster and was second to Inglis Drever on him in a novice hurdle at Warwick a few years ago. He is not available very often and you can't leave him on the subs' bench if you've got a chance."

In the Totesport 0800 221 221 Handicap Chase McCoy gets the leg up in Good Company, owned by his boss JP McManus and trained by Jonjo O'Neill.

McManus' racing manager Frank Berry said: "He jumped nicely when winning at Haydock the last day.

"He has gone up a bit in the weights but Jonjo has been very happy with him and he'll be hoping for a nice run again."

McCoy has two more chances at Fontwell on Sunday, riding Burton Port for Henderson and Blue Teal for Henrietta Knight.

Knight said: "It really would be wonderful if he could get the 3,000 on my horse and I would love it.

"Blue Teal is a horse I have always thought a bit about but he seems to have been a bit unlucky. He was interfered with and unseated his jockey last time.

"It would be great if he could do it for Tony but everything one hopes for in racing never seems to work.

"The horse is very well and will certainly run a good race."

Knight has so many fond memories of McCoy riding for her, particularly his victories on stable stars Edredon Bleu and Best Mate.

"Tony has won an awful lot of good races for us, obviously he won the King George and the Champion Chase but I always remember him winning the Grand Annual on Edredon Bleu as well.

"He also won the Celebration Chase at Sandown on Edredon and it was in the year when we were having a terrible time because of the foot and mouth, but that lifted everyone's spirits.

"Everyone remembers that epic battle with Direct Route in the Champion Chase and Tony is just someone you always want on your side. If he is on another horse against you, you are at a disadvantage.

"He is just a great person and is so focused and dedicated. He gives you so much confidence when he rides your horses because you know he is putting everything into it."