Saturday 25 April 2015 15:16, UK
Tony McCoy's patron JP McManus will be among the sell-out crowd at Sandown on Saturday as racing bids a fond farewell to jump racing's record-breaking champion jockey.
McCoy has been synonymous with the green and gold colours of his boss for the last 11 years, most notably with victories on Don't Push It in the 2010 Grand National and Synchronised in the 2012 Cheltenham Gold Cup.
Both McCoy's final rides are for his main retainer as he sports the McManus silks on Mr Mole in the bet365 AP McCoy Celebration Chase, a race named in his honour, and Box Office in the bet365 Handicap Hurdle.
While connections are hopeful of McCoy capping the occasion with a winner, they just want the horses and their fearless rider to come back safe.
"He has two nice rides. We hope the two of them go well and if one of them was lucky enough to win, it would be great," said McManus' racing manager, Frank Berry.
"It would be marvellous if AP could sign off with a winner. These things don't always happen but it would be great if it did.
"Mr Mole didn't perform at all in the Champion Chase so he has it all to do to get back.
"It's the end of the season so you'd just hope they go well. If they all get round in one piece that would be great."
McCoy is trying to prepare for the inevitable void that he will have to fill, and admits it is likely to be an emotional afternoon.
He said: "It's never going to be easy and when the time comes, that's what is going to be most difficult, living without that.
"It's not something I ever wanted to do but I know it's the right thing and I'm just going to try to enjoy what's left of it.
"It's tough as I really enjoy what I do. What I'm going to replace that kind of buzz and those kind of adrenalin rushes with, I don't know.
"It's irreplaceable, so I just have to make the most of it when I do."
While Saturday will undoubtedly be tinged with sadness, not least for McCoy himself, there are some changes he will be able to make to his daily routine for the better.
"I've had the greatest way of life for the last 20-odd years that anyone could ever have," he told RTE.
"But I am looking forward to certain things: having breakfast every day and not standing on a weighing scales every day; not getting in the car some days for seven or eight hours regularly, a couple of times a week; not spending seven days a week literally travelling. Things like that, I'm not going to miss.
"But I'm not complaining, because I also wish I could do it for another 20 years, that's for sure."
Not one for reflecting during his brilliant career in the saddle due to his obsession with future success, from next week McCoy can now begin to look back at his incredible achievements, some of which may never be matched.
The pinnacle of National Hunt racing is the Cheltenham Festival, a stage on which McCoy rode 31 winners, with Uxizandre his final success in last month's Ryanair Chase on a day he will never forget.
"There was a little bit of mixed emotions pulling up (on Uxizandre) as I had such a thrill riding a horse that was so exuberant and jumped so well, thinking that this isn't going to happen any more," he said.
"I love riding horses that can go out like Uxizandre did and dominate a field the way he did.
"Those are things that are irreplaceable."
