McCoy faces fitness test for race

Tony McCoy will have to be passed fit by a doctor before being allowed to ride Blowing Wind, the favourite for today's Grand …

Tony McCoy will have to be passed fit by a doctor before being allowed to ride Blowing Wind, the favourite for today's Grand National. The Co Down-born champion took a heavy fall in the penultimate race at Aintree yesterday, the second day of the three-day meeting.

The 27-year-old, who set a record on Tuesday for the most winners in a season, suffered nose abrasions and had to miss his ride in the last race.

Blowing Wind is 8-1 joint favourite with Ad Hoc for the big race after finishing third in 2001.

McCoy has won virtually all the major events in the jump racing calendar except the National, where he has a poor record.

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Yesterday's big race, the Topham Chase over the National fences, was won by Irish trainer Willie Mullins with It's Time For A Win.