RACING:TONY McCOY has cast a giant shadow over Richard Johnson's career for well over a decade now but for once following in the champion jockey's footsteps could be just what Johnson orders on board Planet Of Sound in today's John Smith's Aintree Grand National.
Don’t Push It famously provided McCoy with an elusive victory at the 15th attempt in the world’s most famous steeplechase two years ago and much of the focus today will again be on the Irishman as he teams up with the Gold Cup winner Synchronised.
It is 78 years since Golden Miller became the only horse to complete the Gold Cup-Grand National double in the same season and despite topweight Synchronised is actually ahead of the game in terms of official handicap ratings.
The potential for a huge public gamble on the JP McManus-owned star was being weighed up by bookmakers yesterday as they contemplated an estimated €25 million bet on the National in Ireland alone.
Synchronised does look to have an outstanding chance on the book but doubts about his physical suitability for Aintree’s challenge haven’t disappeared just because of his Gold Cup victory. The suspicion remains the diminutive horse’s jumping simply won’t stand up around here.
“I’ve ridden horses round Aintree that I didn’t look forward to riding and they’ve jumped very well, and I’ve ridden horses round there that I thought would be brilliant and they’ve been anything but,” said McCoy yesterday. “Some horses take to it and some don’t. The only way to find out is to run them.”
Irish interest will be even greater than usual with a record 15 starters based in this country including the pair of Organisedconfusion and Seabass who will be ridden by the sisters-in-law, Nina Carberry and Katie Walsh.
It is 35 years since a woman first rode over the famous fences in the National and victory for either Carberry or Walsh this afternoon would be a landmark moment in sporting history.
“He’s won over two and a half and three miles, I don’t know if he’ll stay four and a half but if I get that far, I won’t be doing too bad,” Walsh said of Seabass yesterday. “He’s a fantastic jumper and I wouldn’t swap him. I know him like the back of my hand.”
Carberry already has an Aintree pedigree having completed in all three of her National starts to date, and scored a memorable Irish National victory on Organisedconfusion last year.
Arthur Moore’s stayer is one of the youngest horses in the race but winning at Fairyhouse is a tried-and-trusted way of succeeding at Aintree and drying ground conditions in Liverpool yesterday will aid Organisedconfusion’s chance.
Both women have brothers riding in the race with Ruby Walsh electing to side with On His Own and Paul Carberry on board Chicago Grey, the two horses having connections that have succeeded in the National before.
Along with last year’s winner Ballabriggs, Junior, who will attempt to add a National to wins at the Cheltenham Festival and Royal Ascot, not to mention the wonderfully named Shakalaboomboom’s attempt to give Barry Geraghty a second National, this is a typically competitive renewal of a race which attracts millions of once-a-year punters.
In comparison Richard Johnson’s National record is one of frustration. In 15 consecutive tries, the Englishman came closest 10 years ago when three lengths clear at the Elbow on What’s Up Boys only to be run down by Bindaree.
However, for someone who is destined to finish runner-up to McCoy in the British jockeys championship for the 14th time, Johnson’s status as one of the all-time top jockeys remains secure.
Well over 2,000 winners include victories in all the feature events at Cheltenham and a host of Grade One events, including the Gold Cup at Punchestown a couple of years ago on Planet Of Sound.
The Philip Hobbs-trained star has a touch of class that can always be potent around here, especially on the back of track alterations that have increased the overall quality of the race.
Planet Of Sound’s appearances have been few and far between in the last year and a half but a breathing operation looked to work well when runner-up in November’s Hennessy at Newbury and he ran a perfectly acceptable warm-up for the National at Kempton in February.
There were 40 to 1 odds available on him yesterday and although the National might have changed in appearance, it remains a fact that each-way value is always attractive. Planet Of Sound and Johnson look to provide it this time.
