McCoy hoping to break National duck
It took Frankie Dettori 15 attempts to win the Derby and now racing’s other household name is hoping his turn has finally come in the Grand National.
Tony McCoy is a true genius of his craft but the popular Irishman has yet to boot home the winner of the John Smith’s-sponsored showpiece in 12 goes.
Now he is all set for what he is praying will be lucky 13 as he partners Butler’s Cabin for his boss, legendary gambler JP McManus.
McManus runs four horses and McCoy has nailed his colours to the mast of the Jonjo O’Neill-trained former Irish Grand National and Cheltenham Festival winner.
“It wasn’t a tough choice to ride him, but I’ve picked the wrong one a few times before,” said McCoy.
“He’s won an Irish National and the four-miler at Cheltenham so you’d have to think there’s not much of a question mark from a staying point of view.
“I just thought this one has more potential of winning a Grand National than JP’s other entries.”
After months of preparation, Donald McCain admits he will be relying on Lady Luck when red-hot favourite Cloudy Lane tackles the world’s greatest steeplechase.
McCain’s father Ginger won the Aintree marathon three times with the legendary Red Rum (1973, 1974 and 1977) as well as with Amberleigh House in 2004.
However, Cheshire-based McCain knows more than ability is needed to land the race first won in 1839 by a horse appropriately named Lottery.
“It couldn’t have gone any smoother. All we need is a little bit of luck,” said McCain.
“You can’t get too carried away about it because it’s Aintree and we all know what can happen, so it’s fingers crossed.
“It would be great to win it. Not particularly for me but for Mr Hemmings, everyone concerned and for the horse as well. Let’s hope this horse gets his chance.”
McCain has a second Trevor Hemmings-owned string to his bow with Idle Talk, who unseated his rider last year when he was McCain’s first National runner.
“He’s run two solid National trials this year, fifth in the Great Yorkshire and at Cheltenham when he was staying on,” McCain said.
Hemmings, the owner of Blackpool Tower, realised a lifetime’s ambition when Hedgehunter won the race in 2005.
That horse takes his chance again to complete a powerful three-strong team for the millionaire.
Hedgehunter, now a 12-year-old, is in the care of Willie Mullins, who is also represented by one-time National favourite Snowy Morning.
“I think Snowy Morning’s last run has coloured a lot of people’s minds and that might well have come a bit soon after a hard race in the (Irish) Hennessy,” said the County Carlow trainer.
“I imagine (jockey) Ruby (Walsh) is looking at Hedgehunter because he has won on him before and unless he gets brought down he is as good a ride as you are going to get in a National.”
