Jonjo sad to face final festival with McCoy

Much of the focus at Cheltenham this week will be on the retiring AP McCoy as he takes in his final Cheltenham Festival.

The duo have combined for some memorable Cheltenham moments, notably Synchronised winning the Gold Cup in 2012 and O’Neill is understandably sad to see ‘The Champ’ retiring.

O’Neill was as surprised as anyone when McCoy announced his decision to retire at Newbury in February.

“All good things have to come to an end at some stage, but it came a little more sudden than we expected,” the trainer told Cheltenham Radio.

O’Neill said McCoy was the logical choice for owner JP McManus to have as his retained rider given the Antrim natives unswerving will to win.

“I got his services through JP really. He was the one man you didn’t want against you in a race so he was the obvious choice to be first jockey to JP.

“I was lucky enough to get the use of him. We got on great and it worked really well; there were never any hitches. We talk the same language,” O’Neill added.

The duo are set to team up on Wednesday with Goodwood Mirage in the Coral Cup and O’Neill says McCoy has always been a master of his trade.

“He had a way of getting the best out of them at the races and the same when they were jumping and schooling at home as well.

“He’s like a good horse, you don’t see too many of them, they are a bit special.”