Cup double target for Johns Spirit

Yet this does not detract from the prowess that has been shown by the Irish-born rider who came within a photo-finish of winning the 2012 Grand National on Sunnyhill Boy.

He has also won back-to-back victories on the Jonjo O’Neill-trained Holywell at the Cheltenham Festival – the chaser is now a leading contender for next year’s Gold Cup.

Now McLernon is banking on Johns Spirit to become just the third horse to win back-to-back renewals of the prestigious Paddy Power Gold Cup on Saturday following Half Free (1984-85) and Bradbury Star (1993-94).

Despite being 17 pounds higher in the handicap compared to last year, Johns Spirit is not without a chance in Saturday’s showpiece race at the Cotswolds track over an extended two and a half miles.

The horse’s three previous course victories, including last month’s seasonal comeback, have all come with McLernon – and not McCoy – in the saddle.

“Johns Spirit is better for knowing,” explained McLernon yesterday.

“He is best left alone in the early part of a race – that is his style of racing. I am certainly not planning on making the running.

“He likes passing horses after being in behind early on and relaxed. He would be a bit keen if he was up there and might not get home.

“When Johns Spirit was younger, he was quite excitable and it would not take much to set him alight.

“He was so brave and so willing to get on with the job but now he is so relaxed in himself that you can let him do it and he will listen to you and he will go when you need him to go – he is quite good.

“If you ask him for a big one, he will always come up for you. Before he was kind of doing it himself rather than listening to you.

“He was going at every fence as though it was the last. Good horses will listen to you because they are intelligent.

“We just get on well together. It is a two-way thing, not just a one-way system – a team effort. He is special and you can trust him going into a fence.”

McLernon is also accepting of the fact that McCoy, currently on the injury sidelines, has earned the right to first call when it comes to riding arrangements.

However, he is grateful for the opportunity to spend time on the gallops alongside the most successful jump jockey in history.

“I have been at Jackdaws Castle over seven years, since July, 2007.

“It was massive last year to win the Paddy Power Gold Cup as it is the race of the meeting. It was me in the limelight and luckily I had got on the horse,” added McLernon.

“Everybody talks about this Cheltenham meeting and it is great to be a part of it. It takes a certain horse to act around Cheltenham. They have to have a bit of speed and be able to jump.

“Johns Spirit likes it around there and he is strong enough that he can come up the hill now. A lot of the horses cannot handle the hill and going up it. His jumping takes you there when you need him. He is quite versatile.

“You are always confident when you are riding a good horse. You can never really tell at home how Johns Spirit is because he never does anything special.

“But physically he is a different horse this season – a lot stronger and more relaxed in himself at home.

“He is grand. He was very good when winning at Cheltenham last month. He felt good at home and relaxed pre-race.”

It is testament to McLernon that he would have kept the ride on Johns Spirit if McCoy was fit.

“Richie gets on well with Johns Spirit and they both like Cheltenham so it works out and there is no reason to change things,” said O’Neill, whose finest hour as a jockey came when partnering the heroic Dawn Run to an emotional Gold Cup win in 1986.

“Johns Spirit is more settled this year – I think he has grown up a lot. He is a much happier horse – he has been plagued with sore shins but that seems to have settled down.

“I was surprised by how well he won at the first Cheltenham meeting last month. Either the race wasn’t very good or he has improved.

“He has gone up a lot in the ratings and hopefully he is still improving – we will see at the weekend but it is a tough call.

“He a young horse who is in his prime now.”

The Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury remains a possible seasonal starting point for Nicky Henderson’s 2013 Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Bobs Worth.

The nine-year-old is nearing a return to action, with Henderson keen to give his charge a spin at Newbury on November 29 before heading to Leopardstown to defend the Lexus Chase.

Bobs Worth’s potential Newbury rivals include Cole Harden who was so impressive in the West Yorkshire Hurdle at Wetherby recently under up-and-coming jockey Gavin Sheehan, last season’s champion conditional.

This success has certainly inspired Sheehan – his victory at Lingfield yesterday aboard Shantou Bob took his personal tally of wins this month alone to eight.