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Seems to me like he holds up every single of his runners to me. Very rarely see him prominent or in touch. Personally believe it cost him a couple of places today too.
It was a long time ago when he just had to point and fire one of the Pipe runners.
Riding for JP/Jonjo he has had to convert himself into a hold-up jockey. For all the winners I don’t think the change has ever really suited him. Yes, he can boot home 2/6 on a regular basis round the gaff tracks and that is primarily the reason why he has 4000+ winners. He is champion year after year because the better jockeys are more interested in racking up big race winners. It is only on the big stage where the weaknesses are exposed. You can make two or three mistakes when you are riding horses with stones in hand. Horses can pull too hard and you can still win. Unfortunately, you can’t make blunder after blunder and expect to get away with it at the major Festivals. Every horse he rides isn’t a bad jumper.
Commentators love throwing in the ‘McCoy drive’ but how often is that a result of McCoy playing catch-up having blundered his way into a poor position. Far too often the punter is led to believe that only McCoy could have won a particular race. Clearly horses travel and jump differently for different jockeys. A horse that might look a kitchen sink job for AP might travel on the bridle for another jockey.
As regards this year’s Festival Jezki and Holywell backers should consider themselves very fortunate he chose to ride something else.
I guess that AP has just been lucky to be regarded as the greatest of all time by his peers and that JP is paying such a huge retainer to this chancer.
Holywell a good point in question.
I did not back it because with AP it as jumped poorly.
McLernon on its back and jumped 100 times better and winsHolywell’s win and better jumping might also have been something to do with:
1. Wearing blinkers
2. Being fully fit for his ‘big day’
3. Having more chasing experience than ever
4. Being better able to jump out of good groundI think McCoy would have won on that horse too. Even so, I feel his ride on My Tent Or Yours was poor, or at least less than optimal. On the home turn, McCoy had the choice of going wide of the weakening Captain Cee Bee and Hurricane Fly, or running in behind them and the winner. He put the horse ‘in the cage’ by taking the second option. To be fair to MTOY, he fought like a tiger to the line, but didn’t have time to get on top of the winner.
Holywell a good point in question.
I did not back it because with AP it as jumped poorly.
McLernon on its back and jumped 100 times better and winsYou are very well named!
Holywell
isn’t a natural chaser but he has a helluva engine,he blundered his way round at Cheltenham on Tuesday but because he has that ability to keep going its that rare attribute that won him the race.AP has won on him more times than Richie who actually fell off him earlier this season.AP has educated the horse this year and his ride on him at Doncaster was true AP he never gave up on him even though he was still 3rd jumping the last.I spoke to Jonjo after the race and his words were "He’s learning all the time".Richie rode a great race on Tuesday for sure.
AP’s ride onGet Me Out Of Here
would have been greeted with the words ‘Masterful’ had he got the nod yesterday but again this horse has his idiosyncracies,he’s still like an immature child at home and its that mentality thats seen in his finish he definitely folds when he hits the front,for a 10yo horse he’s still got phenomenal ability and his form figures only confirm how well his Trainer places him,had he been given half a chance by the handicapper he would have won yesterday for sure.
AP’s ride onMy Tent or Yours
………..I backed all 3 of these horses at massive prices and the more I watch the re-run of the Champion hurdle the more I blame the bloody horse for using up far too much energy,BUT had AP positioned him better at the last he could have won,it wasn’t the champs finest ride for sure but I get more pleasure from identifying the talent in these horses way before anyone else irrelevant to who rides them!
Excellent post by Gord.
Pipe
wanted his horses to be ridden prominently.
JP
wants his held up.
Hollywell
is a lazy b…..d in running and never travels with any fluencey. He’ll never be impressive whatever company he keeps, whoever rides! However, this trait makes it difficult for the handicapper to get to grips with him. Smith refused to give Hollywell a rating earlier in the season. Actually was poorly handicapped on what he’d done over fences going in to Tuesday’s race. However, thrown in on hurdles form. I backed the second Ma F @ 37/1 and Hollywell 11/1. Knowing the characteristics so well – despite Nico seemingly travelling the better – Richie was always going to find plenty up the hill.
Get Me Out Of Here
is a similar type with one important difference, pulls himself up in front. You can clearly see from pictures the horse pricking ears once seeing the front. As his Cheltenham record proves – one of the most polite horses in training, "after you sir".
My Tent Or Yours
has more raw ability than any other hurdler in training. But he’s the opposite to Hollywell, wanting to get on with it, too enthusiastic – often pulls early. Horses so free in the early stages are best held on to for as long as possible. Seldom finish their races as well as MTOY did in the Champion. I would not be surprised to hear Henderson using ear plugs or a hood in future (on the horse, not himself or AP).
AP did what the horse needs on all three horses.
Punters should do what AP does… know your horses.Value Is EverythingMTOY’s comes alive when the tapes go up. He was walking around the parade ring as cool as a cucumber without a care in the world, I thought great he’s matured, calm and relaxed, happy days and then goes and pulls a train for a mile and a half, funny game.
Gaelic Warrior Gold Cup Winner 2026
Says a lot about AP when he can barely walk and yet steers home
Taquin de Seuil
there…….Legend isn’t a word I use often!
Says a lot about AP when he can barely walk and yet steers home
Taquin de Seuil
there…….Legend isn’t a word I use often!
Would have won ten lengths with Richie McLernon up. Apparently.
Mike
…….If anyone cares to try and seriously demonstrate how he is not at the forefront of ANY discussion about the best there has ever been I would be interested to consider it…..but I’m not holding my breath.
4000 winners +?
If anyone’s record speaks for itself its A P McCoy’s…..
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