McCoy in Quit Claim, Merry King Out and Other Grand National News
Merry King Ruled out of the Grand National
Jonjo O’Neill has confirmed that Merry King, who was ranked an outside contender, will miss the Grand National due to a breathing problem that will see him miss the remainder of the season. The Irish eight-year-old was ranked around a 25/1 shot and is a stablemate of the current favourite, Shutthefrontdoor (generally on offer at odds of 7/1 with most bookies). Merry King pulled up last time out at Newbury and will miss the Aintree showdown on the 11th April having finished sixth in his one and only appearance at the Merseyside track.
AP McCoy Would Quit After a National Win
Champion jockey, on course for an amazing 20th Champion jockey success this season, AP McCoy has stated that he will probably “stop there and then” if he is successful in the Grand National on the 11th April. McCoy is set to ride the favourite, Shutthefrontdoor, at Aintree, as he looks for a second success in the race and whilst he has confirmed he will retire at some stage this season, he is yet to offer a precise date when he will bring his astonishing career to an end.
Aged 40 he is still undecided as to which mount he will take for the National, with Cause Of Causes also a possibility, although few doubt he will ride the favourite. Shutthefrontdoor, trained by Jonjo O’Neill seems the logical choice and McCoy said “Winning the Gold Cup at Cheltenham is the pinnacle of your sport – the race everyone wants to win, but the Grand National is the most famous race in the world. It’s definitely nice to have won it. I’d love to do it again.”
Many punters would surely like that too, although a success for McCoy would certainly leave the bookmakers looking at a major loss. We’ll have a full Grand National preview, along with betting tips and the latest odds as the race approaches.
Mullins’ National Options Limited
Willie Mullins may have enjoyed an amazing Cheltenham Festival but his chances of winning at Aintree look slim. Mullins will only have Ballycasey, currently priced at odds of 50/1, after withdrawing Prince De Beauchene and Boston Bob. It now seems likely that Ruby Walsh, the only jockey in the field to have won the National twice, could be trying for a third win on board a major outsider…but with Walsh, who knows what’s possible!
