Grand National the perfect chance for Tony McCoy to bow out on a high
THE Grand National has created remarkable stories and punters believe Tony McCoy will create another by winning on his final ride in the world’s most demanding race on Shutthefrontdoor next Saturday.
Such is McCoy’s popularity that Shutthefrontdoor, currently trading at 7-1, is expected to be sent off the shortest-priced favourite since Red Rum started at 7-2 in 1975.
But support is not just founded on sentiment for the man who has broken every record, bone and taken the art of race-riding to another level. Shutthefrontdoor comes to the race with glowing credentials.
“He has a good chance as any of them,” said his trainer Jonjo O’Neill.
“I’m not frightened of any of them. My only pressure is to get the horse there as fit as I possibly can – and, I can tell you... he’s spot on.”
McCoy, 40, heading for his 20th consecutive jockeys championship, gave O’Neill his finest hour when partnering Don’t Push It to victory in the 2010 Grand National.
“That has to be one of our greatest moments together,” recalled O’Neill. “The National remains the race we all want to win. We think we’ve got it right with this fella.
“He’s straightforward unlike Don’t Push It – he was half mad.”
Since Shutthefrontdoor won last year’s Irish Grand National, O’Neill has targeted the Crabbie’s National for JP McManus’s eight-year-old. “We’ve not given him a hard time because I want him fresh,” added O’Neill. “We had thought about running in the Cheltenham Gold Cup but I’m glad we didn’t.
“You could say he lacks bit of experience but it’s not something I’m that worried about. We will know after he’s jumped three or four if he’s enjoying himself.”
As for McCoy, who will retire if he wins on Saturday, O’Neill says: “Of course he was an outstanding rider. We’ve had a great relationship. I don’t know what he’s going to do but I hope he’s still involved with us.
“He’s completely obsessive but he is also a great guy. He’s going at the right time. On his terms and still at the top.”
