National hero Don’t Push It is retired

JONJO O’Neill hailed Don’t Push It as “an unbelievable horse” after confirming the retirement of the 2010 John Smith’s Grand National winner, who also produced a tremendous showing in last year’s big race finishing third under a welter weight.

The 12-year-old gelding famously provided jockey Tony McCoy with his first National success at the 15th attempt, but has signed off from racing after failing to fire on the gallops at his home at Jackdaws Castle, Cheltenham.

O’Neill said: “He’s in great form, and he’s doing everything grand at home, but he’s just not showing us the same old sparkle. He’s 12 now and we are doing the right thing in retiring him.”

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Don’t Push It returned to Aintree last April and turned in another honourable display when finishing third behind Ballabriggs. He will spend his retirement at owner JP McManus’ Martinstown Stud in County Limerick, having won eight races in a 29-race career which yielded over £750,000 in prize-money.

O’Neill added: “The whole yard, and especially Tony and JP, owe him everything. He was also mine and JP’s first National winner and obviously means the world to both of us. He ran a blinder when he won in 2010, and he also ran a blinder last year when he finished third.

“We thought we had him right again this year after he ran so well over hurdles at Cheltenham, but he’s now telling us that enough is enough. He’s been an unbelievable horse and I’m sure he will be well looked after at JP’s – he will have a great retirement. He’s a smashing horse and will never be forgotten.”

McCoy, currently sidelined with a rib injury, added: “The last thing we wanted was for something to happen to him, so the decision was pretty easy to make. Jonjo and JP were obviously very keen to make sure he retired in one piece. He’s emotionally too valuable for something to have happened to him.

“He gave his all. He gave me the greatest day of my racing life – I always wanted to win the Grand National. I will always be indebted to Don’t Push It.”

McCoy is confident he will be back in the saddle before Cheltenham Trials Day on 28 January.

The perennial champion jockey suffered broken ribs when the Nicky Henderson-trained Laudatory fell at Taunton on 30 December, but McCoy explained: “I was pretty sore for a week – I spent a week in bed – but I’ve improved a lot these last few days. I’m going to see a specialist on Thursday, but I’m improving.

“There’s so much good racing in the spring so I just want to make sure I’m 100 per cent. I don’t want to rush back, but I’m definitely improving. I’d be hoping I’d be back for the good meeting at Cheltenham. I’m certain I’ll be back for then, probably before.”

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Meanwhile, popular veteran Hello Bud – the 2009 Scottish Grand National winner – has been given the go-ahead to run in the Betfred Classic Chase at Warwick on Saturday. The 14-year-old stayer was pulled up during the corresponding race 12 months ago, but will have another go for the Nigel Twiston-Davies team.

Hello Bud, winner of the 2010 Becher Chase at Aintree, was last seen finishing sixth in a handicap chase at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day. Owner Seamus Murphy said: “I was talking to Nigel last Friday and the plan is to run at Warwick. It’s a prestigious race and it would be nice to involved in it – especially as he’d have a good chance. He doesn’t seem to like Cheltenham and has never really ran well for us there. They went a bit quick for him on his last start and he couldn’t really get involved as much as we’d have liked.

“It should be different at Warwick. The first half a mile he needs to settle, get into a rhythm, then bowl along up front. The ground was also a bit quick at Cheltenham so hopefully it’ll be a bit softer at Warwick. He might be 14 now, but he’s in great form and we’d be hopeful of a good run.”