Horse racing legend Sir Anthony McCoy believes that his former horse Shutthefrontdoor is in with an excellent chance of success in Saturday’s Crabbies Grand National.
This year’s race will be the first Grand National since McCoy’s decision to retire last April and he stated how he will miss the pre-race excitement, as he prepares his new role as a pundit.
“There won’t be the same excitement that there normally is. I’m getting used to it.”
However he is looking forward to seeing his successor Barry Geraghty riding over the fences at Aintree, but admitted he is still unsure as to who Geraghty will be riding.
“You could make a good case for Carlingford Lough, he is a dual Irish Gold Cup winner and he stays well.”
“Shutthefrontdoor (ridden in fifth place last year by McCoy) looked like he might not have stayed in last year’s race, but he has had a better preparation this time.”
McCoy instead preferred to recommend that Geraghty takes the advice of experienced trainer Jonjo O’Neill when choosing his horse for Saturday.
“I always think that Jonjo O’Neill is the best trainer of a staying chaser, so if he told me to ride Shutthefrontdoor, I’d do it.”