Campaign growing for National hero McCoy to capture award

Racecourse officials, backed by Racing for Change, are urging racegoers to back McCoy so that the veteran can win the wider recognition that has eluded him.

Bookmakers agree that they are on to a winner. McCoy, whose cause was championed in Parliament this week, is 5-6 (from evens) to win the award on December 19, with another Ulsterman, US Open golf champion Graeme McDowell 7-2 second favourite.

"With Lewis Hamilton missing out on the F1 world championship and David Haye proving very little in his mismatch against Audley Harrison, Tony McCoy is now the standout candidate," said Coral's David Stevens.

"If every punter who has ever won money thanks to AP's efforts voted for him next month, he would be a shoo-in to win."

The National build-up begins with Sunday's Becher Chase at Aintree where Irish stayer Notre Pere will attempt to carry 11st 12lb.

Trainer Jim Dreaper, whose father trained the legendary Arkle, is keen to give the 2008 Welsh National hero a crack over the big fences to see if he can be prepared for next April's National.

The same applies to Merigo, winner of the 2009 Eider Chase and the 2010 Scottish National. Trainer Andrew Parker believes there is no point pursuing that dream if the nine-year-old gelding does not take to the fences.

Attention turns tomorrow to Haydock's Betfair Chase where Imperial Commander, the reigning Gold Cup champion, will head a select seven-runner field.

He will be ridden by regular pilot Paddy Brennan, the man booked to ride Weird Al in the Hennessy Gold Cup on Saturday week.

One top horse who will not be appearing this season, however, is Keith Reveley's impressive chaser Tazbar, a three-time winner last season. He picked up a tendon problem last February that requires prolonged rest. "We will get him back next year – hopefully he can come back as good as ever," said Saltburn-based Reveley.

In-form jockey Andrew Tinkler, from Malton, recorded his second win on successive days for top trainer Nicky Henderson when Semi Colon win the finale at Hereford yesterday. The victor is a horse to follow – just like Nadiya De La Vega, the rider's Wednesday winner, who is clearly a top-class chaser in the making.