Tony McCoy has stressed that he will not rush his recovery after undergoing a successful operation to repair damage sustained to his T12 vertebra, following a crashing fall at Warwick just over a week ago.
However, after the 12-times champion jockey walked out of the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford today, he admitted he hopes to be fighting fit before the Cheltenham Festival.
McCoy’s presence is the saddle would certainly aid the cause of a number of Cheltenham Festival fancies, particularly horses like Exotic Dancer (Gold Cup) and Wichita Lineman (World Hurdle), neither of whom is the easiest of rides.
It won’t be long until bookmakers start betting on who the leading jockey at the Festival will be and, if he makes it there in one piece, McCoy is bound to be one of the favourites, alongside Ruby Walsh.
For punters looking for a bit more value, though, it may pay to take note of Denis O’Regan’s odds when they are published. The Irishman has been in great form during his first season riding in England. His position as stable jockey for Howard Johnson and retained rider for Graham Wylie means he is sure to have an excellent book of rides, including on one of the likely hot favourites, Inglis Drever in the World Hurdle.
In addition, he has picked up big spare rides already this season for both Henrietta Knight and David Pipe and, given his roots, he is bound to be well supported by Irish trainers at the Festival too.
2 comments:
Hope all goes well for APs recovery, we need him to challenge Ruby & Choccy for festival jocky
Couldn't agree more. Great quote from him: "I think I'm unbreakable so I wasn't lying there thinking the worst, you can't think like that."
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