Richard Johnson odds-on for title win at last as McCoy retires

Richard Johnson is 10-11 favourite with Coral to win the National Hunt jockeys’ title next season, after long-time rival AP McCoy announced his retirement from the sport at the end of the current campaign. Jason Maguire is 10-3 second favourite, ahead of Sam Twiston-Davies and Tom Scudamore, both 6-1, while Coral are quoting McCoy at 10-1, should retirement not be to his liking.

“Richard Johnson must have thought this day would never come, but confirmation that AP McCoy will not be sitting alongside him in the weighing room next season means the perennial runner-up is finally in pole position to secure his first championship,” said Coral’s David Stevens.

“As for McCoy, he has been the punters’ closest ally for many years, and as a result has cost the bookmakers tens of millions of pounds during his career, most notably when he won the Grand National on Don’t Push It five years ago, a victory that saw the industry pay out more than £10 million,” added Stevens.

“However, his worth to the sport has far outweighed that financial cost, and as one of the few racing figures to be known outside the sport, he will be sorely missed by us all when he finally hangs up his boots later this year,” said Stevens.

**2015/16 NH Jockeys’ Title 10-11 Richard Johnson, 10-3 Jason Maguire, 6 Sam Twiston-Davies, Tom Scudamore, 12 Barry Geraghty (10-1 AP McCoy)

ENDS

Further Information Contact David Stevens 07720 400438