McCoy to make last minute decision on Champion Hurdle mount

Champion jockey Tony McCoy has revealed that he is unlikely to make a decision on whether to partner My Tent Or Yours or Jezki in the Champion Hurdle until 24 hours before the race (missing full stop)

Both are owned by his boss JP McManus, and it had been widely expected that McCoy would be on board Fighting Fifth and Christmas Hurdle winner My Tent Or Yours.

The Nicky Henderson (-) trained gelding is the shortest of the pair in the betting with Coral at 7/2, while Jezki is a 10/1 chance.

However, McCoy has not lost faith in Jezki and believes he has a live each-way chance in the opening day’s feature race.

Writing on his blog for Cheltenham Racecourse, he said: “Hurricane Fly was very impressive when winning the Irish Champion Hurdle and he is still the one they have to beat at Cheltenham.

“People will question the form and say Captain Cee Bee was not beaten far, but you have to remember that Hurricane Fly was in trouble coming to the last and still won by a length and a half.

“He keeps on winning and until that changes he is the one to beat. I rode Jezki in the race and we finished fourth, but looking back we have been riding him wrong as he wants two and a half miles and I think positive tactics will see him to much better effect.

“If he is more positively ridden in a strong-run Champion Hurdle then he has definitely got an each-way chance.

Both were among 11 who stood their ground for the 2m contest on Tuesday, March 11th, at the latest declaration stage.

The remaining contenders are:

Form Horse Age Owner Trainer

1111-111 ANNIE POWER (IRE) 6 Susannah Ricci Willie Mullins IRE

131/4-35 GRUMETI 6 McNeill Family Alan King

1111-111 HURRICANE FLY (IRE) 10 George Creighton & Rose Boyd Willie Mullins IRE