If you thought twenty consecutive Champion Jockey titles and 4,358 winners would be enough to make a man want to put his feet up, you clearly haven’t met Sir Anthony McCoy. Today, the legendary “AP” swapped the silks for sneakers to conquer the London Marathon, proving that while his career in the saddle is over, his appetite for self-inflicted punishment is very much intact.
Running in aid of the Matt Hampson Foundation, McCoy navigated the 26.2-mile course with the same relentless grit that once saw him ride through more than 700 broken bones. For a man who has fractured his back, broken his teeth, and punctured lungs more often than most of us change our oil, a bit of pavement pounding was never going to stop him. He crossed the line looking remarkably upright, though he did jokingly admit he’s not sure he’ll be rushing to do another one anytime soon. It’s a testament to his freakish endurance; even without a horse underneath him, the man simply doesn’t know how to stop.
Results from the Flat: Nottingham and Wetherby
While AP was busy on the streets of London, the Flat season was in full swing across the turf.
Nottingham: The afternoon concluded with Shady Bay (3/1) putting in a professional performance to take the 17:55, staying on strongly to beat Kurios Lady.
Wetherby: A fantastic day of racing saw Sea The Storm (4/9f) justify his short price with a dominant display in the 15:00. Later, Passing Thought (17/2) provided a bit of value for punters by taking the 15:35 in a hard-fought finish.
The Main Event: The Wetherby Mascot Race
Let’s be honest: the Group races are great, but nothing matches the sheer, unadulterated chaos of the Wetherby Mascot Race. Today saw the usual suspects, oversized birds, giant sausages, and local lions—stumbling over the final furlong. While the “athletes” inside may lack AP McCoy’s elite fitness, they certainly shared his determination to reach the finish line, albeit with significantly more fur and far less grace.
Looking Ahead: Monday and the Punchestown Roar
Tomorrow’s Racing (Monday, April 27)
If you’re looking for a Monday fix, the action moves to the all-weather at Lingfield and the turf at Bath. Naas, Ireland (Flat): An evening turf meeting featuring the Listed Woodlands Stakes (7:15 PM), often a key sprint for high-rated specialists. Expect competitive maiden stakes and some early-season clues for the staying handicappers. It’s a day for the tacticians as we transition into a massive week for the sport.
Will add naps,best rated horses in the morning 🌅
One Day to Go: Punchestown is Calling
The countdown is officially in its final hours. Tomorrow is the last “quiet” day before the Punchestown Festival kicks off on Tuesday, April 28.
The opening day features the William Hill Champion Chase, and the atmosphere in County Kildare is already electric. We are about to see the giants of the National Hunt world collide one last time this season. If the London Marathon was about endurance, Punchestown is about pure, unadulterated speed and class.
Buckle up, the Irish jumps season finale is almost here.
Silks and Shenanigans 