Racing: Doctor to have last word on McCoy National bid
Tony McCoy faces a nervous few hours before a decision can be made over his participation in tomorrow’s Martell Grand National.
The record-breaking jockey will have to face the course doctor for clearance to ride the fancied Martin Pipe-trained Blowing Wind after the gelding’s stablemate Iznogoud sent him crashing to the ground in the Martell Mildmay Novices’ Chase.
McCoy, who earlier this week broke the record for the number of winners in a season in both codes of racing, was still prostrate when the field came round on the final circuit but rose to walk into the course ambulance.
Medics checked his condition in the ambulance room before he emerged with abrasions to the nose.
McCoy’s weighing room colleague Rodi Greene was less lucky. He will miss the ride on the Pipe-trained Majed after a fall from Delaware in the Martell Topham Chase resulted in neck injuries for the jockey.
A decision on his replacement on Majed is not expected to be made until the morning.
Meanwhile, Pipe who came under fire earlier this week for the number of runners he intends saddling for the Grand National today told why he is so keen to win the big race for a second time.
Pipe scored with Miinnehoma in 1994 and this year, as well as Blowing Wind, the 11-times champion trainer is also set to run Majed, You’re Agoodun, Royal Predica, Manx Magic, Gun’N Roses II, Iris Bleu and Carryonharry in the gruelling marathon.
Some have questioned whether one trainer should be allowed so many contenders, but Pipe said: ‘‘The Martell Grand National is the greatest race in the world, and every trainer, owner and jockey wants to win it.
‘‘That’s why we are doing our best to do so.
Pipe continued: ‘‘All the intended runners have schooled over our specially constructed Grand National style fences - the obstacles are quite large, but nonetheless inviting for the horses to jump earlier in the week, and they have galloped this morning.
‘‘We are pleased with their preparation for Saturday, and are very excited about the big race.’’
Meanwhile Mick Fitzgerald and Richard Johnson are both expected to be passed fit to ride in the National after being stood down with minor ailments today.
Johnson is confident of overcoming a back problem to ride What’s Up Boys.
‘‘It’s hard to walk but easier on a horse,’’ he said. ‘‘It is only bruising. They have given me anti-inflammatories and a good night’s sleep will do it a world of good.’’
All 40 horses declared on Thursday for the four and a half miles test stood their ground as the 9.15am deadline for possible withdrawals passed.
This meant there was no place in the race for the four reserves Browjoshy, Moor Lane, Dark Stranger and Amberleigh House, whose trainer Ginger McCain was the most vociferous of those criticising Pipe for entering so many of his charges.
Both Moor Lane and Amberleigh House contested today’s Martell Topham Chase For Sport Relief but finished well down the field behind Its Time For A Win.
One horse who comfortably beat the cut for the biggest betting race of the year was Samuel Wilderspin who will relish the underfoot conditions described officially as ‘‘good’’.
The Henbit-gelding has a record of breaking blood vessels during his races but trainer Richard Lee is happy that his charge is ready to tackle the giant fences.
‘‘He has come here as well as I can get him,’’ said Lee.
‘‘He will love the ground and although there are obviously 39 dangers, I hope he will go really well.
‘‘He has never been over four and a half miles before, so that is unknown territory for him, but he is always running on at the end of his races.
‘‘So far we have got his blood vessel problems sorted out, though this will be the first race he has been in with a parade. But he is a very placid horse, so we are hoping for the best.’’
Clerk of the course Andrew Tulloch is expecting to water parts of the Grand National course tonight.
He plans to opens the taps from the first fence down to the Foinavon (seventh) fence.
‘‘The going is still good on the Grand National course and we wish to maintain the consistency of the ground around the whole course,’’ he said.
On the betting front Coral make the Paul Nicholls-trained Ad Hoc their 8-1 favourite, with Blowing Wind and Beau the 9-1 joint second favourites.
‘‘Blowing Wind, the mount of record breaking champion and punters’ pal Tony McCoy, could well go off favourite, with Davids Lad also likely to be popular with the public on a day when turnover could reach a record breaking 120 million pounds,’’ predicted David Stevens, spokesman for the company.
