Knighthood for Tony McCoy?

TONY McCOY, wrote himself another piece of horse racing history by becoming the first National Hunt rider to reach 4,000 winners.

He immediately nominated fresh targets having reached the most momentous milestone of an extraordinary career at Towcester on Thursday as he rode his 4,000th jumps winner in Britain and Ireland.

AP McCoy, the 18-time champion jockey has been breaking records virtually from his first season in the saddle, and he partnered Mountain Tunes to victory in the Weatherbys Novices’ Hurdle at Towcester to reach the landmark.

McCoy was last early on, but his mount warmed to the task and moved into contention turning for home.

A sloppy leap at the second last put McCoy on the back foot, but he galvanised Mountain Tunes and a power-packed finish put his mount in front in the shadow of the post—much to the delight of a packed crowd at Towcester.

The 18-time champion jockey, widely known by his initials AP or the nickname the Champ, achieved the feat on Mountain Tunes, fittingly trained by Jonjo O’Neill and owned by JP McManus, his two closest racing allies during the past decade.

McCoy’s often hectic riding schedule has been noticeably lighter than it could have been the past three days, reflecting his determination that his landmark winner should come in McManus’s famous green and gold silks.

A delighted McCoy was led back to huge cheers from a crowd of six or seven deep after crossing the line first on Mountain Tunes.

After the congratulations had died down, McCoy said: “The next target is hopefully to end the season as champion jockey which it is at the beginning of every season.

“If I’m still in one piece to get to Martin (Pipe’s) record (0f 4,182) that would be a special achievement because he’s a fantastic man and a great friend, we’ve had a bit of banter about it, so hopefully at some point I will be able to maybe get close to his record, if not beat it.”

The victory on Mountain Tunes exhibited McCoy’s never-say-die attitude as the combination looked beaten approaching the last until the champion pushed and shoved the winner back into contention, and on to that famous victory.

“It was typical AP,” said the rider’s wife Chanelle. McCoy was treated to three cheers from racegoers before being sprayed with champagne. He posed for photographs with Chanelle and their children Eve and Archie Peader before remembering one vital job – to weigh in.

He said: “It’s amazing and it couldn’t have happened any better. “Obviously for Jonjo and for JP and with Chanelle, Eve and Archie Peadar here which is very important.

McManus said: “I remember when AP came to the UK first, [trainer] Christy Roche brought him to my attention and he said, ‘This AP he’s getting 7lb, he should be giving weight away!’

“Little did we think that day that he would ride 4,000 winners or that anybody else would. Full marks to him, he’s a credit to the game, it’s a pleasure to have him around and every day with him is a most enjoyable day.

“That was very nice [to win in my colours]. I was away last week and I was hoping I was going to be here to see it. Anyway it was very nice that he waited to ride one of mine and I’m chuffed that he did, and I’m sure it won’t stop here.”

O’Neill concurred with McManus that the end is far from nigh for McCoy the jockey. Chanelle McCoy dubbed the 4,000th win “a massive relief”.

She added: “He really made me scream for it, I really thought he was beat. I was just afraid he’d fall off and injure himself so close to achieving something amazing.

“You couldn’t script it better, it’s beautiful weather, his family are here, Mr McManus and Jonjo, they are just the most amazing trio.”

When asked if McCoy would be taking Friday off she replied: “I doubt it, you know what he’s like, the total professional.”

Calls for the perennial champion to be awarded a knighthood are sure to follow in the wake of the latest achievement of a jockey whose career, for its longevity and dominance, has precious few equals in sporting history.

Yesterday….DOOM DOOM……. for Always Back Winners….

Our two selections may have well been fitted with headlamps not blinkers as they toiled in the dark at Lingfield. Still we have had MEGA profits this week after the MASSIVE 16/1 winner in RUSTY ROCKET ….that backed up Monday’s only selection and 3/1 winner, ATHENIAN, with a MASSIVE……10/1 winner…APOLLO D’NEGRO on Wednesday at Kempton!!!!

7 flat selections this week….WON 3/1….2nd 13/2…..WON 10/1……W 16/1…..and 3 unplaced

Hope YOU have been on these so far this week for MEGA PROFITS!!!!! this week….and we are showing over 50{70aeb3532cb26dbe277d25ea128ebb74de84b9bd22e1583b0eb1b73768e061f6} ROI from a 40{70aeb3532cb26dbe277d25ea128ebb74de84b9bd22e1583b0eb1b73768e061f6} strike rate for our Full Seasons Flat Selection Results….check them out!

Today’s selections….

Southwell 14.15……CALL THE COPS goes for Nicky Henderson who rarely travels here with runners and has had 6 winners from the last 22 so is bang in form. The charge won here in May and looks an intersting recruit to the jumping game….a best priced WIN only 11/10 with just bet365 putting a price up at the moment.

Wolverhampton 18.30…..we look for our EW value bet on the polytack. Muhtaris has to be respected off bottom rung for Bin Surror but is no value. We take the top weight and obvious ‘class horse’ veteran, NOBLE ALAN to fill the frame here. He has been running in better company than this and is the obvious EW value at a best priced…9/1 with PaddyPower

Full Seasons Flat Selection Results