McCoy on perfect horse for Grand National fairytale - O'Neill

TonyMcCoy-Cropped

Tony McCoy is on the perfect horse to end his storied career with another Grand National triumph, according to trainer Jonjo O'Neill. 

McCoy, a 19-time champion jockey, is to retire from the sport at the end of the season, will ride favourite Shutthefrontdoor - trained by O'Neill - in his final appearance at Aintree on Saturday.

McCoy has said that the National will be his last race should he triumph for the second time, having prevailed on another O'Neill-trained horse - Don't Push It - in 2010.

There was no fairytale for McCoy in the Irish Grand National on Monday as he could only manage sixth place aboard Cantlow.

However, O'Neill has faith in Shutthefrontdoor's ability to give McCoy a sensational send-off.

"We all want it to be a fairytale and they don't happen often," O'Neill told The Guardian. "It would be brilliant for everyone in racing.

"It would almost be too good to be true. But I am hopeful for AP because he's on a good horse who is a decent jumper and in form. I couldn't be happier. His weight is right, his bloods are right, everything is right.

"We've just got keep him like that. That's the hard bit.

"Don't Push It was a nutcase. This fella is more placid. You could put a child on him. He's an ideal horse. Don't Push It was in good form but this fella is blooming. He's opening up at the right time. It's very exciting."

Six of the first seven horses past the post in last year's National are listed to feature again this time around.

Pineau De Re will be bidding to become the first horse since the great Red Rum to win back-to-back Nationals, while Balthazar King and Rocky Creek - second and fifth in 2014 - are well fancied to challenge Shutthefrontdoor for victory.

Lord Windermere, winner of the Gold Cup in 2014, heads the weights at 11st 10lb but the nine-year-old is not expected to be in the reckoning come the finish.

Glory for Don't Push it marked the sole success for McCoy and O'Neill, who is not feeling any pressure of the occasion.

"As long as AP and his fella get home safe and sound I'll be happy," he added. "But listen, if we win it will be fantastic. It will be a lifetime achievement for McCoy. I'd love it - we'd all love it."

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