McCoy Still Searching For First National Win

There are few prepared to argue that Tony (AP) McCoy isn’t the greatest National Hunt jockey of all time. The 15 times champion has won virtually everything the sport has to offer but the ‘Holy Grail’ of jumps racing, the John Smith’s Grand National, has continually evaded his grasp, writes Elliot Slater.

McCoy will be even more desperate in 2010 as the clock continues to tick by and the nearly 36-year-old Irish-born sporting great is very well aware that he may only have a handful of chances left to achieve his goal. It took the great Sir Gordon Richards 26 attempts before he finally won the Epsom Derby, but the career of a National Hunt jockey is far shorter than that of a flat jockey and McCoy knows the sands of time are running out.

His last five rides in the world’s greatest steeplechase demonstrate the frustration he must feel. In 2005, six lengths clear on Clan Royal and going strongly at Becher’s second time around, McCoy was suddenly hampered by a loose horse a few strides from the fence and his mount was forced to refuse. The frustration must have been unbearable. The following year he teamed up again with Clan Royal and the pair came home 3rd behind Numbersixvalverde.

In 2007 McCoy completed the course in 10th position on board classy French raider L’Ami, then in 2008 it was again Becher’s on the second circuit that proved his undoing, when travelling strongly with the leaders on Butlers Cabin, the pairing fell. Last year, back aboard Butlers Cabin, McCoy was prominent for much of the race before his mount faded from the last to finish 7th.

Although yet to confirm which horse he will ride for grand national entries 2010, McCoy has the option of a number of horses owned by JP McManus, including 2008 runner-up King John’s Castle, together with live hopes Don’t Push It and Arbor Supreme. There is also the possibility of a big outside ride should the McManus trio not take their chance on the big day.

Many racing fans across the world will be hoping when it comes to 2010 Grand National race time that 2010 is at last the year when AP McCoy will add his name to the list of winning Grand National jockeys.