THE public is piling the cash on AP McCoy’s last ride in the world’s most famous race - Saturday’s £1m Crabbie’s Grand National - in the hopes of a fairytale end to his spectacular career at the Liverpool showpiece.
Aintree is already sold out next Saturday as 40 runners will go to post for the gruelling four-miles three and a half furlongs contest over 30 fences.
McCoy is set to ride the Jonjo O’Neill-trained Shutthefrontdoor and with the cash pouring on, the horse looks set to start the shortest price (7/1) since the days of Red Rum 40 years ago.
Punters are banking on a McCoy fairytale win at Aintree.
Speaking earlier to The Times, McCoy said that if he does not win the Aintree National, Sandown’s fixture on the last day of the National Hunt season in Britain is more than likely the setting for his final racecourse ride.
“If I don’t win it, I’ll go on until Sandown. It’s the end of the British season and they have been good enough to name a race after me (the bet365 AP McCoy Celebration Chase).
“I did have some thoughts about Punchestown, the following week, but I definitely won’t be riding there. If I did that, I might just as well carry on and I won’t be doing that,” added the champion jockey.
O’Neill added: “I think the public will all back him, looking for a fairytale story. The only pressure is that he gets there safe and sound. It’s the National, you’ve got to be realistic, but we’re going there full of confidence.”
The eight-year-old Shutthefrontdoor has only run six times over fences but his trainer said: “He’s pretty accurate and knows what he’s doing.”
Of McCoy, O’Neill said: “You’ll never see the like of him again. For everyone involved, it would be a magical day. I have never been involved in a miracle but that’s what it would feel like I’m sure.”
Don’t Push It gave O’Neill, McManus and McCoy their first Grand National victory together in 2010.
Aintree is gearing up for a crowd of around 70,000 next Saturday with a record number of 340 press accredited at to cover the race.
IRISH CHALLENGE
Having his 19th ride in the race, Paul Carberry takes the reins on Gordon Elliott’s Cause Of Causes looking for his second Aintree Grand National win, while his sister Nina bids to become the first female jockey to win it. She partners the Mouse Morris-trained First Lieutenant (33/1) after Bryan Cooper’s suspension ruled him out.
Ruby Walsh rides Ballycasey for the Willie Mullins stable. Robbie McNamara will be having his second ride around Aintree’s Grand National course, this time on the Jim Culloty-trained Lord Windermere (33/1), while Nick Scholfield is in the frame to partner Culloty’s Spring Heeled.
Jim Dreaper’s Midlands National winner Goonyella (25/1) bypasses Fairyhouse for Aintree while Tony Martin will also run Gallant Oscar (25/1) in Liverpool if they make the cut.
Sandra Hughes’s Raz De Maree is also on the waiting list.
Meanwhile Nicky Henderson’s Aintree Grand National hopes were dashed after sole entry Hadrian’s Approach knocked a hind leg in his box and he’s been earmarked for the Scottish National or Sandown’s bet365 Gold cup.