McCoy’s dramatic Aintree victory delights the watching millions

Just under 8m people watched on BBC as he went by the post in the world’s most famous race.

Owned by legendary gambler J P McManus and trained by Jonjo O’Neill, the ten-year-old was backed in from 20-1 minutes before the race was due to start, and afterwards a tearful McCoy said: “It means everything to me to win the Grand National. I’ve won lots of big races and I’m supposed to be a good jockey, but to not win the Grand National would be a bit of a negative on the CV.

“My trainer put me on the right one if truth be known. I asked him to toss a coin and I think he tossed it a few times until he got Don’t Push It.

“I couldn’t have picked it, but Jonjo was very adamant and I didn’t argue with him.”

Most people would have expected McCoy to have a couple of days off, but not a chance and the Irishman arrived at Southwell the following day to steer Aberdale to victory in the maiden hurdle.

Richard Johnson, who has been runner-up to McCoy on many occasions in the jockeys’ championship, was also on the mark at Southwell when steering Grand Zouki to victory in the three-mile novice hurdle for Middleham trainer George Moore.

Also on Sunday, there was a seven-race card up at Kelso and Richie McGrath stole the riding honours with a polished display on Stopped Out in the novice handicap hurdle. On another horse to be trained in Middleham, this time by Kate Walton, McGrath dictated a modest pace before kicking on early in the back straight. Earlier in the day, Alan Swinbank was on the scoresheet with Pyracantha, who returned at 3-1 in the two-mile novice hurdle.

Sedgefield started the week with a low-key amateur riders’ card and local trainer Bob Johnson was on the mark with Toulouse Express. It proved a red-letter day for his rider, Toby Speke, who was riding his first winner under rules.

In the last race of the day, the father and son combination of George and Nathan Moscrop took the honours with Robin De Sherwood, who got up close home to land the spoils.

On Tuesday, attention was turned to Flat racing when Pontefract got its season under way, and the first race of the year, a six-furlong handicap, went the way of the Bryan Smart-trained Tangerine Trees.

The concluding contest, an apprentice handicap, provided a very welcome winner for Howard Johnson when his Woody Waller came home in front at 8-1.

Beverley got its season under way on Wednesday and Mark Johnston, who has a great strike-rate at the track, was on the mark with Corsica, who showed a determined attitude to win the 1m 4f handicap.

Also on Wednesday, Johnston was very pleased with his 2,000 Guineas hope Awzaan, who galloped over seven furlongs during racing at Newmarket.

The unbeaten three-year-old was partnered by Richard Hills and afterwards his trainer said: “I’m very happy with that. I just wanted to give him an outing and for Richard to get off confident, which he seemed to be.”

Awzaan is as short as 8-1 for the Classic, which takes place in just over two weeks.

Tomorrow sees one of the last highlights of the jumping season with the Scottish National taking centre stage on Ayr’s eight-race card.

The feature race is due to get under way at 3.20pm and West Witton trainer Ferdy Murphy has a live chance of winning the race for the fourth time with Poker De Sivola, who was a winner at the Cheltenham Festival last time out.

Murphy has been successful in the race before with Paris Pike, Joe’s Edge and Hot Weld, and earlier in the week he was hopeful of a bold show, saying: “He has come out of the Cheltenham race fantastic and we couldn’t be happier with him.

You need a fair bit of luck in the Scottish National - they go a hell of a pace - but he handled the hurly-burly at Cheltenham no problem and he has grown up a lot. I wouldn’t swap him for anything else.”

Thirsk begins its new season today with the traditional two-day April meeting. Racing on both days begins at 2pm.