'It has the power to change a young jockey’s life' says the racing legend and 2010 winner.
Sir AP McCoy has revealed exactly what it takes to compete in a Grand National, ahead of the showpiece event this weekend.
Having won the National in 2010 on Don't Push It, McCoy told Oddschecker: “It’s different in a lot of ways, from all those other horse races because it’s the most famous horse race in the world.
“It’s different from every other horse race in that you can plan and you can have all the thoughts in your head.
“There are very few horse races like it. The build-up to the Grand National is different because you know that it’s on the news in the morning.
“You know that everyone’s talking about it and it’s on the front page of most of the daily newspapers.
Although the 20-time Champion jockey was 35-years-old when he won the race, McCoy was full of enthusiasm when discussing how it can help jockeys still finding their feet.
He said: “It has the power to change anyone’s life, but it definitely has the power to change a young jockey’s life who might never be lucky enough to become Champion Jockey.
“Or might never be lucky enough to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup or win any of the other big races.
“It has the power for one of those jockeys to be a so-called superstar for the day. You’d be on every news outlet that evening.
“You can win all the other races and that wouldn’t happen.”
