McCoy feels Colbert Station has platform for victory

Even though the Irish raider has just five steeplechase starts to his name, the 17-year-old champion believes the horse is favourably handicapped at 11st 1lb.

McCoy could have ridden Sunnyhill Boy, last year’s second, but Jonjo O’Neill’s runner has risen 10lb in the handicap and has been out of sorts this season.

Richie McLernon keeps the ride, as suggested in Tuesday’s Yorkshire Post.

“It’s been very hard, but after speaking to JP McManus, who owns both of them, we’ve decided I’ll ride Colbert Station,” explained the 17-times champion.

“I can’t ride both of them and while he does not have the Aintree experience of Sunnyhill Boy, he looks less exposed to the handicapper and has a proper racing weight.”

Walsh was among the first people to rush up to congratulate McCoy immediately after the record-breaking rider won an unforgettable 2010 National on Don’t Push It.

Meanwhile Walsh’s son Ruby, who is McCoy’s great friend and rival, will bid to win a third National on On His Own.

The Willie Mullins runner was travelling well 12 months ago before falling at Becher’s Brook on the second circuit when ridden by Paul Townend.

In other jockey bookings, Bryan Cooper – victorious yesterday on First Lieutenant – will ride Rare Bob.

The same combination were brought down at the 5th last year, but Cooper is far more experienced and Rare Bob was an eyecatching third to Rich Revival in the Leinster National.

The horse’s trainer Dessie Hughes is the father of Richard, the champion Flat jockey.

Paul Carberry, victorious on Bobbyjo in 1999, says he will be fit to ride Gordon Elliott’s Chicago Grey, another of the phenomenally strong Irish challenge.

Carberry will not resume riding until tomorrow after suffering a heavy fall at Punchestown on Tuesday, but he said: “I think he’s got a cracking chance – Gordon’s horses are running ever so well at the moment.”