Should Tony McCoy still ride Denman?

Question

Should Tony McCoy still ride Denman? Not even the best jockey can be right for every horse. Maybe connections should consider swallowing their pride and go back to Sam Thomas.

Answer 1

The statistical record of Tony McCoy doesn't live up to his reputation. He has, of course ridden a lot of winners, but his strike rate is not as good as Ruby Walsh's, Ruby Walsh tends to have a better chance on equivalently priced horses and horses run closer to their best form for Walsh. McCoy does however, have a better record of staying on the horse than does Walsh. There are better choices than McCoy for a big race ride. Having said that, nothing that happened on Saturday is particularly relevant for Cheltenham. The decision may have been the wrong one to start with, but there is no specific reason to change it now.

Answer 2

The statistical record of Tony McCoy doesn't live up to his reputation. He has, of course ridden a lot of winners, but his strike rate is not as good as Ruby Walsh's, Ruby Walsh tends to have a better chance on equivalently priced horses and horses run closer to their best form for Walsh. McCoy does however, have a better record of staying on the horse than does Walsh. There are better choices than McCoy for a big race ride. Having said that, nothing that happened on Saturday is particularly relevant for Cheltenham. The decision may have been the wrong one to start with, but there is no specific reason to change it now.

Answer 3

This is a the 14-times champion jockey we’re talking about and Denman has never been regarded as the most complicated ride going. Paul Nicholls reckons it was just one of things – and that sound about right.