Wednesday 26 November 2014 12:18, UK
Tony McCoy is likely to look to Merry King to give him that elusive first victory in the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury on Saturday.
Tony McCoy is likely to look to Merry King to give him that elusive first victory in the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury on Saturday.
The Hennessy is one of the very few big races missing from the perennial champion jockey's long list of successes and he gets the chance to put that right this weekend.
The Jonjo O'Neill-trained gelding was fifth behind Triolo D'Alene in the prestigious staying handicap chase 12 months ago when Richie McLernon took the ride as McCoy was in action at Newcastle steering My Tent Or Yours to victory for his boss, owner J P McManus.
"I'm probably going to ride Merry King of Jonjo's," he told Sky Sports News ahead of his return to action after three weeks out through injury at Fontwell on Wednesday.
"There are three or four possibilities, but it looks like Merry King at the moment."
McCoy has a more high-profile ride at the Berkshire track on Saturday in the McManus-owned More Of That, also trained by O'Neill.
Last season's Ladbrokes World Hurdle winner is to make his reappearance in the bet365 Long Distance Hurdle.
"He's probably the highest-rated horse, other than Jezki, I have to ride so I wanted to be back for him," he said.
