McCoy has high hopes for Cheltenham
As well as getting the leg-up on Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle favourite Brave Inca, McCoy will head to Prestbury Park in the knowledge that he has at least five other leading chances.
Royal & SunAlliance Chase favourite Darkness, Irish Independent Arkle Trophy hopeful Foreman, Fota Island in the Queen Mother Champion Chase, Refinement in the SunAlliance Hurdle as well as Black Jack Ketchum and Iris’s Gift are all set to have the assistance of the champion.
And of those, McCoy believes it is Darkness, currently a general 6-1 chance, who holds the strongest credentials, despite his reputation as something of a dodgy jumper.
“Darkness’ jumping was probably worse when he was going right-handed at Sandown last time, he just didn’t enjoy it,” said McCoy.
“H’s won at Cheltenham twice and he’s won around Newbury so I don’t think his jumping will be a problem.
“Of the horses in this country he has shown the best form and it is the most solid. He is entitled to go there with a very good chance.
“He is a very tough horse that stays well and that is normally the type of horse that wins the race, a real good stayer and that’s what he is.”
Of Foreman, fourth in the Champion Hurdle two years ago, McCoy believes his speed could be vital in what is turning out to be one of the hottest races at the meeting.
“He seems to like chasing OK,” he continued. “Foreman has a very good chance on his hurdles form, but it is shaping up to be a very good race.
“Fota Island is definitely a very good horse as well. He finished just behind Foreman in the Irish Champion Hurdle and finished sixth in a Champion Hurdle, so he has some class.
“He has won a Grand Annual off a low weight and then went on to win at Aintree. I think he is a progressive horse over fences and he is entitled to take his chance in the Queen Mother in an open year.
“Refinement has been second and fourth in the Cheltenham Bumper in the last two years and Jonjo (O’Neill) has done a great job with her because she wasn’t a natural jumper straight away.
“He found little mares’ only races for her and built up her confidence and she just gradually stepped up in class. She is entitled to take her chance in a race like the SunAlliance Hurdle. She is a very good mare.
“Cheltenham hasn’t been good to me lately but touch wood if I get there in one piece, as well as the horses, I have a very good looking book of rides, stronger than recent years.
“I would be lying though if I said I was able to enjoy it without riding some winners.”
