McCoy can prove point on Denman

AS the rider of more than 3,000 winners, the relentless Tony McCoy – the soon-to-be 15-times champion jockey – has very little to prove.
By The Newsroom
Published 10th Feb 2010, 10:17 BST
Updated 10th Feb 2010, 10:18 BST

His record should speak for itself. But even the 36-year-old can expect to feel nervous when he rides former Gold Cup hero Denman for the first time this Saturday in Newbury's Aon Chase.

For, while the quantity of McCoy's victories is not in question, there are some who believe champion trainer Paul Nicholls should have remained loyal to Sam Thomas, the jockey who landed jump racing's most prestigious prize two years ago.

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In many respects, McCoy's challenge is to prove he is as good as his friend and rival Ruby Walsh when it comes to big race tactical battles. In Denman, he now has the horsepower to confront this challenge.

However the 'champ' is just glad to have the opportunity to link up with a horse that is vying stablemate Kauto Star for favouritism for the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Despite his successes, McCoy's record is more modest when it comes to the major races.

"It's great to get the ride on a horse that's realistically capable of beating Kauto Star, not that there are any flaws in Kauto Star. If there is any chink in him on Gold Cup day, then Denman can find that out," said McCoy. "He's won two Hennessys and a Gold Cup and is a powerful horse.

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"I always thought for a long time, especially after last year's Gold Cup, that Kauto Star had the edge. But then what Denman did in the Hennessy really made me sit up and think again – but then you look at the King George when Kauto Star annihilated the field there.

"They are two horses who are going to put on an exceptional show. Hopefully Denman will come out on top."

Nicholls has defended the decision to force Walsh to choose between the two horses ahead of the Newbury race. So McCoy can familiarise himself with Denman.

Walsh still harbours doubts that he has made the right decision despite Kauto's brilliance. "I would love to be able to sit on it for another couple of weeks," he said at Doncaster on Saturday. "Denman's performance at Newbury is going to be crucial. It was a very difficult decision and I have no idea if I've got it right."

Related topics:McCoyPaul NichollsDoncaster