Showing posts with label AP McCoy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label AP McCoy. Show all posts

Saturday, 4 April 2015

Grand National Tips - Shutthefrontdoor a worthy favourite for AP but others are better odds


Somehow I have agreed to go campaigning during the big race this coming Saturday, but at race time I will be stopping and heading for a TV to watch. APs horse is a worthy favourite: an Irish National winner with a touch of class and a reasonable weight - and he has been set out for this race. Expect him to start a very hot favourite - both because he is the bet of the race - and because of the AP factor. The great man retires if he wins. For my money it is written in the stars, although you don't back a horse on the day at the odds this fellow will be. I have a bet at 10-1 each way from a while back, but I fear he will start at odds of around 3-1 on the day which is crazy odds for a race like the Grand National where anything can happen. There are 30 fences, some horses don't take to the place, and hot favourites have been knocked over or brought down in the past. My dad rode in the race in the 1960's and himself was brought down at Bechers second time round!
http://www.grand-national.me.uk/

Each Way prospects to appeal on the day:
- Balthazar King will go very close: he was second in the 2014 Grand National and based on that performance you’d expect him to go close again. Raised a few pounds by the handicapper for the 2015 renewal that shouldn’t be a major concern for this smart chaser, who again has been prepared with this race in mind. Very likely to make the frame.
- The Druids Nephew; I always prefer horses with less than 11 stone on their back, who are progressive, and I like The Druids Nephew who fits the bill, at good odds; the Neil Mulholland trained eight year old was superb in winning at the Cheltenham Festival. Will go close with a clear round and worth an each way punt.

If you want an outsider at long odds: Dolatulo has an outside chance

Thursday, 7 November 2013

Jockey AP McCoy one win away from 4000 =the stuff of legends

The greatest ever steeplechase jockey is AP McCoy. He is now one win away from his 4,000th win after a victory at Chepstow yesterday. AP is the 18-time champion jockey. He could reach the unprecedented milestone today at Towcester, where he has two rides.
The Northamptonshire track offers free admission to racegoers and is expecting a bumper crowd, with the possibility of sporting history being made.
As my old friend the BBC racing correspondent,Cornelius Lysaght, puts it:
"While 4,000 sounds colossal, it really is - nearly 1,500 successes more than any other rider over jumps. Once upon a time to get to 'a mere' 1,000 was considered something very special. To an extent, as there's no question of him getting to the milestone and then abruptly retiring, this is just a number, but when you get to such a landmark, whether it be in sport or business or marriage, it's a good time to celebrate.
I dare say McCoy himself would like to just get on with riding minus any hype, but racing is understandably keen to shout about one of its own who is unquestionably one of Britain's most extraordinary sportspeople.
Nearly 4,000 winners and 18 champion jockeys' titles over nearly two decades in - and this is crucial - the most perilous of sports where you 'play' not only with animals, but followed around by an ambulance, is indeed a colossal achievement."

For my part I am lucky to have known, followed and admired AP - he is a genuinely great man, and a supreme horseman. We will never see the like of him again. I wish him well today.

UPDATE: AP does it! Great news that he won at Towcester today
 http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/horse-racing/24850985