McCoy Cut For Top Rider Honours

Bookmakers have shortened Tony McCoy in the market on top rider at the Cheltenham Festival after he came in for the ride on hotpot Aran Concerto in Wednesday's Ballymore Properties Novice Hurdle.

Following the news the champion jockey will replace the injured Paul Carberry on the ?Irish banker', William Hill cut his odds to 15-8 from 9-4.

As well as the Noel Meade-trained six-year-old, McCoy's book of rides also includes Wichita Lineman in the Brit Insurance, Exotic Dancer in the Gold Cup and Straw Bear in the Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle.

'Tony McCoy will ride Aran Concerto,' Meade confirmed. 'He was available so we have booked him ? he's not a bad substitute is he!'

Meade also cleared up some riding plans for later in the week.

'Orbit O'Gold will be ridden be ?Slippers' Madden in the Supreme, while Denis O'Regan will probably ride some of mine later in the week.

'I'm not going to run Aitmatov in the Coral Cup, though. He just doesn't appear that well handicapped to me.

'Even with his Irish compatriots he is not that well in, especially as he is a novice.'

(C) PA Sport