Russell favourite to replace AP

SPECULATION that Davy Russell could succeed Tony McCoy as retained rider to JP McManus grew on Wednesday after Paddy Power quoted him as 11-10 joint-favourite with Barry Geraghty to land one of racing's top jobs.

While McManus's racing manager Frank Berry insisted that discussions about who will take over from McCoy have not even begun, Paddy Power, who made Geraghty 1-6 market leader shortly after the soon-to-be-20-time champion jockey announced his retirement in February, clearly believe Russell to be a very strong contender.

Russell, who was originally 33-1 for the post, lost his retainer with Michael O'Leary's Gigginstown House Stud operation at the start of last year, but bounced back to land the 2014 Cheltenham Gold Cup aboard Lord Windermere for Jim Culloty, although he has since lost the ride on that horse too.

He also won twice at this year's festival, partnering Windsor Park to land the Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle for Dermot Weld and steering Rivage D'Or to Cross Country victory.

Spokesman Paddy Power said: "Davy ticks a helluva lot of boxes because he has ridden in the UK before, has the experience of a big job, and enjoyed success with JP this season in the Munster National aboard Shanpallas.

"Barry, of course, did so well for JP at Cheltenham last year, winning the Champion Hurdle on Jezki and the World Hurdle on More Of That."

Berry said: "Nothing has been discussed yet, and it won't be until after AP has retired."

McCoy's final day in action is on Saturday when he will don the silks of McManus and partner Mr Mole in the bet365 AP McCoy Celebration Chase.

However, that will not necessarily be the last ride of his record-breaking career as Jonjo O'Neill could decide to run the McManus-owned four-year-old Box Office in the final race on the Sandown card, the bet365 Handicap Hurdle.

Seventh under McCoy in the Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham last month, Box Office looks just the type to be suited by a step up in trip to 2m4f on Saturday and make the boldest of bids to give the riding legend a winning send-off.

"It's all ground dependent at this stage," Berry said. "If it's good, safe ground at Sandown then Box Office could run."

 

Would getting the job for JP be a step up from being Nicky Hendersons stable jockey though? Barry Geraghty may get more of a financial reward, but in terms of winning the big races I think he's better off sticking with Henderson.

Though I do think Barry Geraghty if he had the job would improve JPs fortunes in big races, as he proved on Jezki and More Of That, that he gets a better tune out of good horses than McCoy does. I hate to say it, but in terms of riding ability BG is twice the jockey McCoy is.

Davy Russell is a very good rider aswell, but he's not as good as Geraghty. So I reckon his name must only be being talked of because BG has rejected the job, and has chose to stick with Henderson

 

I like davy but he is getting on in years so would be suprised if he gets the gig.i would have thought mark walsh would keep the rides in ireland and baz g would ride in england

 

Ger Fox I would give the job if it was my decision but your plan seems logical enough ste and could be the way forward.

 

Paul maloney! Will get you a place in the national but thats about it

 

I say Oddy, my old love, I hope you’re not being sarcastic. He’s one of the best is Andy Tinkles. One of the best.

 

As I’ve said before it’s my understanding that Geraghty will get the job if a deal can be struck which is amicable to both parties. I guess its going to depend on how successful and effective his agent is in the negotiations. Geraghty is going to want, in an ideal world, an association similar to the one he has with Mr Henderson and given his age and the poor level of prizemoney usually available he just isn’t going to want to be hunting around the gaff tracks of this EU member state from a Monday to a Thursday. Against this though he has to remember how financial lucrative the McManus job is. At the moment he gets nothing prior to sitting on one of Mr Henderson’s. In accepting this role though he’d receive a 6 figure retainer and a guaranteed (regardless of injury or how the horses perform) monthly income.

The ‘next JP saddle monkey’ market to me resembles that of ‘next football manager’. You will get loads of market moves which mean next to nothing. A similar one, a few weeks ago, was on Noel ‘Touchy’ Fehily and he’s now considered an also ran for the post!

If a deal can’t be struck with Geraghty though then Dave Russell has to be a leading alternative as, in holding a similar position for years, he knows all about the politics involved in such a job. There is a lot more to holding roles like this than simply slapping the horse on the rump, kicking him in the belly and trying to steer home as many winners as possible.

 

Is Barry on a retainer at Hendersons?

If not then give me the big fat guarantee of a retainer every day of the week over Hendersons stable role.

You've also got to factor in the dominance of Mullins at the moment in grade ones. Being Hendo's number one 4 years ago guaranteed big wins. Not so much nowadays.

If you take JP's role then you get access to Mullins team. Something he doesn't have at the moment.

 

Completely agree hendo stable doesn't seem to be the strength it once was! SS doesn't seem to be the same horse ad Saturday looks to be crunch time Simonsig we haven't seen for a long time MTOY and HARGAM is a JP horse anyway and Peace and Co not up to Faugheens standard so add the fact he gets a retainer from JP its a no brainer

 

Barney old chap why hasn't he got the ride on Sprinter on Saturday pwrsonally I'd rather have nico but if he is #2 he would surely have 1st refusal

 

Doesn't Nico ride out on Sprinter every day?

 

He does but still you would have a number 2 over a work rider wouldn't u!

 

These things run in cycles, Henderson is going through abit of a transition period at the moment, though he'll be back as strong as he was in the near future. He's had some rotten luck with a few of his big guns, but the fact he had a 1-2-3 in the main juvenile race at the festival , proves he has plenty of talent coming through.

So I think it's a little premature to be claiming the JP job is better than Hendersons.

All you have to do is look back over recent years at the number of festival winners BG has ridden for Henderson in comparison to McCoy for JP. McCoy has struggled to get even one winner most festivals in JPs colours.

JP may have plenty of money, but he uses a lot of average trainers to train his horses. If I had that sort of money, I wouldn't be sending the best ones to the likes of Jonjo O'Neil. I'd be sending them to Nicholls, Henderson or Mullins

 

I do agtee Oddy If Barry goes I hve Nico as my 1st choice he is a top horseman who will only get better! Better than the other saddle monkeys at chuckle towers