Tony McCoy chasing BBC award

Tony McCoy feels racing would be the big winner if the legendary jockey is named BBC Sports Personality of the Year.

The 15-times champion rider insists any personal kudos at claiming the coveted accolade would be outweighed by the promotional impact it would have on his sport.

Speaking at a Racing for Change press day, designed to advertise McCoy's credentials as a leading contender for the award, McCoy said: "Rather than it being a personal honour, I would see it as a huge thing for racing itself.

"From my point of view, it's a massive thing to be mentioned in the same breath as other sports stars, but I see it as a bigger honour for racing."

McCoy is short-priced favourite to win the 2010 Sports Personality of the Year, which will be staged at Birmingham's LG Arena on 19 December. Golfer Graeme McDowell is also a leading contender for the award after winning the US Open and holing the putt that won the Ryder Cup for Europe, while heptathlete Jessica Ennis and diver Tom Daley are others in the running.

McCoy leapt to the head of the market when finally ending his winless hex in the John Smith's Grand National after Don't Push It struck at Aintree in April.

McCoy added: "Frankie Dettori is the biggest icon we have to offer, but if by me winning the Grand National means more people are interested in the sport, that can only be a good thing.

"Winning the National was obviously an aim - I'd had 15 goes at it until it finally happened. It hasn't made me a better jockey, but it does make me feel more complete."

Meanwhile, Richard Hughes revived his hopes of catching Paul Hanagan in the race for the jockeys' championship with a near-22-1 treble at Leicester yesterday. The Irish-born pilot cut the northern-based rider's lead down to eight (179-171) thanks to his trio of winning favourites - Jinky, Show Rainbow and Barista - all trained by Mick Channon.