Tony McCoy admitted he found it tough to choose the Ted Walsh-trained Colbert Station over Sunnyhillboy in the John Smith’s Grand National at Aintree.
It was a hard call for the champion jockey to reject his other JP McManus-owned option, the Jonjo O’Neill-trained Sunnyhillboy, who was beaten by the narrowest margin in National history 12 months ago by Neptune Collonges.
However, with Sunnyhillboy carrying 10lb more this year, McCoy has gone for the potential improver, who marked himself out as a potential National horse when winning the Paddy Power Handicap Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas.
“He’s won his last two races while Sunnyhillboy has the experience of being round here and is trained by Jonjo O’Neill, which is the biggest plus there is in staying chases,” said the 17-times champion jockey.
“Colbert Station has less weight, he is a bit inexperienced but is a bit more unexposed, too.
“The Paddy Power Chase is not anywhere near as good a race as the Grand National, but it’s very competitive in terms of hustle and bustle. With 30 runners it is like a mini-Grand National.
“For a horse that has little jumping experience, he has had the experience of a tough competitive chase like that. Hopefully he’s got a good chance. If Colbert Station doesn’t win, I hope Sunnyhillboy does.