Racing: Noel Meade has confirmed champion jockey Tony McCoy will ride 'Irish Banker' Aran Concerto in the Ballymore Properties Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham on Wednesday.
With stable jockey Paul Carberry missing the entire four days of the Festival due to a foot injury, Meade has been quick to snap up the best available.
And with Wichita Lineman being aimed at the longer Brit Insurance Novices' on Friday, McCoy has no ride for JP McManus, leaving him available to take the mount on the hot favourite.
"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."