• Grand National

McCoy makes his mind up

ESPN staff
April 8, 2010
Tony McCoy has never won the Grand National © Getty Images
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Tony McCoy has confirmed he will ride Don't Push It in Saturday's Grand National at Aintree.

The 14-time champion jockey had the pick of JP McManus' horses, Don't Push It and Can't Buy Time, both trained by Jonjo O'Neill, but confirmed on Thursday his choice in his quest for his first Grand National victory.

"We left the decision completely up to AP," said McManus' racing manager, Frank Berry. "It didn't matter to us which one he wanted to ride and he's happy with Don't Push It."

McCoy has never won the Grand National in 14 attempts, but will hope to end his drought on Saturday.

"I decided to go for him on the basis that he can probably go on any type of ground, more so than Can't Buy Time, who would probably need it to keep drying out," McCoy told At The Races. "Don't Push It has a little bit of class, he's run well in one or two good races in the past so he just got the vote.

"Everyone wants to win the Grand National, but it only comes round once a year and you need lots of luck. Choosing your Grand National horse is never easy. If you said I could ride any one of the 40 I'm not sure I'd get the right one and that is what makes it the race it is."

Richie McLernon will now ride Can't Buy Time, while Nina Carberry was named on board the John Quinn-trained Character Building.

Don't Push It is 20/1 to win the Grand National with Stan James

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