VIDEO: From despair to Don’t Push It – AP McCoy’s Grand National memories

Emma Spencer caught up with William Hill brand ambassador and former Grand-National-winning jockey AP McCoy to talk about his experiences in the world’s greatest steeplechase ahead of the 2019 edition, which takes place this Saturday.

McCoy offers up exclusive insights into the many, varied disappointments that befell him across 14 losing rides in the race leading up to his maiden success aboard Don’t Push It in 2010, alongside insight into what went through is mind when riding the race.

The Champ’s former boss JP McManus has three runners in this year’s edition, with two-time Cheltenham Gold Cup medallist Anibale Fly shortest in the 2019 Grand National betting at 12/1, ahead of Minella Rocco (40/1) and Regal Encore (66/1). AP makes one of them his each-way Grand National betting tip for Saturday’s race.

AP McCoy on racing in the Grand National

What marks the great race out from the rest of the jumps calendar, straight from the horseman’s mouth.

The Champ’s Grand National disappointments

McCoy backers will remember what-might-have-beens Blowing Wind and Clan Royal with gritted teeth.

Winning the National aboard Don’t Push It

AP goes into his Aintree marathon tactics as he relives his long-awaited victory in the 2010 edition.

AP McCoy’s Grand National betting tip

Find out why our man likes the look of Minella Rocco, currently trading at odds of 40/1.

The 2019 Grand National betting

After an unexpectedly brilliant 2018/19 season, last year’s winner Tiger Roll is trading at odds of just 7/2 to become the first horse since the legendary Red Rum to triumph in consecutive renewals.

The nine-year-old had a low-key return to the track in November when down the field in the Cross County Chase at Cheltenham’s November meeting, but his subsequent exploits have marked him out as a better horse than when landing the National 12 months ago.

Such are the demands the Aintree race places on a racehorse, winners are often retired subsequently and routinely fail to win another race after their triumphs on Merseyside.

However, Tiger Roll shocked the odds compilers by pillaging the Grade 2 Boyne Hurdle at Navan, before ransacking the Cross County Chase at the Cheltenham Festival by an authoritative 22 lengths.