Nicholls: There may never be another McCoy

TonyMcCoyandPaulNichollscropped

Paul Nicholls does not expect Tony McCoy's astonishing achievements to be emulated ahead of the legendary jockey's emotional swansong at Sandown on Saturday.

McCoy will be crowned champion jockey for an incredible 20th consecutive year when he bows out of the sport in front of a sell-out crowd of 18,000 at the Surrey course.

Champion trainer Nicholls is hopeful of sending McCoy into retirement with a win on his final day of racing, saddling the favourite Mr Mole in a race named the A P McCoy Celebration Chase in the 40-year-old's honour.

McCoy will then ride the Jonjo O'Neill-trained Box Office in the Handicap Hurdle, which will be the final race of his career and has been moved forward an hour to 4.25pm local time so it can be shown live on Channel 4 in the UK.

Nicholls, who will be crowned champion trainer once again this weekend, showered McCoy with praise as he prepares to bring down the curtain on his astonishing career.

"He is the probably the greatest jump jockey that has ever ridden," he told Perform. "The number of winners each year, sustainability, he's got it all really.

"His will to win, but also the fact that he's able to retain his enthusiasm to keep going out there day after day and be as good as the day of last the ride he's just ridden. Also to be as tough as he is, the falls he gets over and just gets back it's incredible really.

"There's no one better, he's done so much. No one could have done more for jump racing, or racing as a whole, as he's done to raise the profile of the sport over the last number of years."

When asked if there will ever be another McCoy, Nicholls said: "Probably not in our lifetime. Never say never, but it will be very nearly impossible to find another one I would say.

"Everyone will strive to be emulate Tony McCoy, but it will be something very high to aim at."

Both of McCoy's mounts on Saturday are owned by JP McManus and Nicholls believes Mr Mole has a great chance of giving the duo a winner despite a disappointing showing in the Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham last month.

"It's a big day. Mr Mole is owned by JP and it would be great for him to win on him for obvious reasons, but he has to improve on the way he ran in the Champion Chase.

"Sandown will probably suit him a lot better than Cheltenham. We think he's in good order and it would be nice (to win), but at the end of the day it's still another horse race and one they would all like to win.

"It would be awesome [if Mr Mole wins], it will be one of those great days. But it will be a fantastic day on Saturday whatever happens and emotional. Everyone is going to miss him."

McCoy was aboard Mr Mole following a win at Newbury when he announces his intention to retire in February and it would be no surprise if he chalks up yet another winner on the seven-year-old gelding on Saturday.

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