AP McCoy’s last chance of a National winner before he retires has evaporated after Benvolio, his intended mount in this afternoon’s Coral Scottish National at Ayr was withdrawn. McCoy will bring an end to his two-decade domination of jump racing after he rides at Sandown a week today. But he will be a spectator in the big race this afternoon after unsuitable drying conditions at Scottish track prompted Benvolio to be scratched. AP McCoy finished fifth on Shutthefrontdoor in the Grand National, but will not ride in the Scottish National . McCoy’s final quest for National glory began in the Irish version of the race when sixth on Cantlow on Easter Monday. The soon-to-be-crowned 20-time champion was then fifth on favourite Shutthefrontdoor in last Saturday’s Grand National. McCoy, who recorded the 4,348th win when successful on Capard King at Ayr, said: ‘It is disappointing not to be riding in the Scottish National but the ground was going to be too quick for Benvolio and, sadly, I couldn't do the weight on any of the others.’ McCoy has three rides at Ayr today - Sea Lord, Upsilon Bleu and Lettheriverrundry – but then is not expected to ride again until the Sandown next weekend. A crowd of close to 20,000 is expected at Sandown with only a few tickets still unsold. A heavily-influenced AP McCoy day will see the venue festooned in banners bearing his name while his 2010 Grand National winner Don’t Push It and Deanos Beeno, an eight-time winner when ridden by him, will be among the champion racehorses to be paraded. McCoy will be presented with the trophy for his 20 championship before the third race, the AP McCoy Celebration Chase in which he is expected to ride Paul Nicholls-trained Mr Mole. Meanwhile, Richard Hannon says he is confident Cheveley Park Stakes winner Tiggy Wiggy will at least stay the seven furlongs of this afternoon’s Fred Darling Stakes at Newbury. McCoy will retire next week, but had been hoping for a final National success before Benvolio withdrew . But evidence will have to be conclusive if the speedy filly, who won six of her eight races as a two-year-old, is to cement her position for the one mile 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket on May 3. If her stamina is found out, a sprinting career would beckon. Hannon said: ‘She has been settling very well at home and she has been here and won before. Hopefully, she will feel at home. ‘I don’t think seven furlongs will be a problem and if she gets that there is a chance she will get further. This race will take the freshness out of her.’ Hannon puts 2.000 Guineas hopes Estidhkaar and Ivawood, the Middle Park Stakes runner-up, on Classic trial in Newbury’s one mile Greenham Stakes and Ivawood also has stamina questions to answer. Hannon said: ‘Ivawood is by (sire) Zebedee, who never got further than five furlongs and he has loads of speed. Estidhkaar will definitely get a mile and I hope they both will. It will be a finding out day.’ The Greenham also features Roger Varian-trained Belardo, the 2014 Dewhurst Stakes winner.
AP McCoy's mount Benvolio withdrawn from Scottish Grand National.
Paul Nicholls pulls horse due to unsuitable drying conditions at Ayr.
McCoy is due to retire next week after over 4,000 career wins.