Cheltenham Festival hospitality tickets news: Tony McCoy 'is right choice for Denman ride'

09/02/2010

Denman's owners were right to choose Tony McCoy to ride the horse in front of racing enthusiasts with Cheltenham Festival hospitality tickets.

This is the view of Greg Wood, who wrote in the Guardian's Sport Blog that the Irish jockey may just be able to do enough to beat off stiff competition in the Gold Cup from favourite Kauto Star.

Paul Barber and Harry Findlay came in for some criticism for axing Sam Thomas from his position atop Denman, following his victory at Cheltenham Festival's headline event in 2008.

But Denman's owners made the correct call, although the horse will still need to pull off the "ride of his life" to overcome Kauto Star, Mr Wood said.

The journalist stated: "Sam Thomas is very able but like the great majority of his colleagues, he is not quite as good as McCoy.

"McCoy will not make much difference, but it could easily be more than enough."

The jockey revealed his eagerness to secure the Denman ride last month, saying that he would "gladly appreciate" the opportunity to partner the horse.

Posted by Sam Smith