A busy racing weekend was completely overshadowed when Champion jockey Tony McCoy announced that he would be retiring at the end of the season.
Although there had been rumours of McCoy hanging up his riding boots for some time, the media seemed to be taken completely off guard following the victory of Mr Mole in the Game Spirit Chase at Newbury. Most eyes had been on former two-mile champion chaser Sire de Grugy who had blotted his copybook when unseating Jamie Moore. Even the day’s feature race, the Betfair Hurdle, was run in a strangely subdued atmosphere as racing tried to absorb the news.
McCoy, or “AP” as he is widely known, will be crowned champion jockey for the 20th consecutive time at the end of the season. Considering the high risk nature of his job, that is nothing short of remarkable. He has had his share of injuries over the years but has kept coming back for more. He has been part and parcel of the National Hunt scene for so long that he is bound to be sorely missed.
In the meantime, the bookmakers are bracing themselves for a surge of support for McCoy’s mounts for the rest of the campaign. His win on Carlingford Lough on Sunday gave us a taste of what to expect if, and when, he boots home a winner at the Cheltenham festival and Aintree. His Hennessy win was a vintage McCoy ride, recovering from a mistake to drive back up to his rivals and grind out an unlikely victory.
Carlingford Lough has already been cut to as short at 8-1 for the Cheltenham Gold Cup while he remains a more realistic 12-1 with William Hill. Shuttthefrontdoor is currently joint-favourite for the Grand National at 20-1. Trainer Jonjo O’Neill is planning on running him in the Gold Cup as well but Aintree is his number one target.
When McCoy ended his 15-year wait for a Grand National winner on Don’t Push It in 2010, bookmakers estimated that the champ had cost them around £50million. If Shutthefrontdoor gets to the National with McCoy in the saddle, he will almost certainly start favourite. Were he to end his career on such a high note, it would rate alongside the greatest racing memories like Dawn Run, Desert Orchid and Red Rum. It couldn’t possibly happen could it?
Carlingford Lough – Cheltenham Gold Cup @12-1 William Hill
Shutthefrontdoor – Grand National @20-1 William Hill
Betfair:
Bet on Henrik Stenson to become the BMW PGA Championship Winner.
Paddypower:
Back Australia to take the Ashes home with them.
Betway:
Back Rafael Nadal to become the Mens French Open Winner.
Coral:
Back One For Arthur to win the Grand National.
Bet365:
Back Mexico to win the Confederations Cup.
