Jonjo sets World Hurdle poser for McCoy with More Of That

Trainer Jonjo O’Neill has asked Tony McCoy to ride his unbeaten hurdler More Of That in the World Hurdle at the Cheltenham festival. The champion jockey had been expected to continue his association with At Fishers Cross for Rebecca Curtis who returned to his best form when second in the Cleeve Hurdle last time out.

At Fishers Cross having won the Albert Bartlett 12 months ago and went on to complete a sixth consecutive victory at Aintree. He has had his problems this season, making a bad blunder at Newbury and unseating McCoy at Ascot.

The Cleeve Hurdle saw the return of four-time World Hurdle winner Big Buck’s but victory went to 66-1 outsider Knockara Beau. At Fishers Cross was beaten a short head in that race finishing three-quarters of a length ahead of the World Hurdle favourite.

More Of That has won all four career starts for O’Neill, culminating in the Grade 2 Relkeel Hurdle at Cheltenham. That victory marked a step up from handicap company and both horses are currently rated 160 by the official handicapper.

Both horses are owned by JP McManus and McCoy will not make a decision until he has had another spin on More Of That at Jackdaws Castle. The big concern for O’Neill is whether or not his six-year-old has the stamina for the World Hurdle having only raced up to two and a half miles.

The trainer has now such concerns over Taquin Du Seuil having decided to aim for the Grade 1 JLT Novices’ Chase on World Hurdle day instead of the RSA Chase. He will clash with Nicky Henderson’s Oscar Whisky for the third time this season.

Taquin Du Seuil got the verdict by a neck in November but was beaten three-quarters of a length on New Year’s Day. There were only four runners on each occasion and a faster pace is likely to suit Taquin Du Seuil who won in heavy ground at Haydock last month.