REAL McCOY

Greenall's feeling the pressure with Iroko

- MELISSA JONES

CO-TRAINER Oliver Greenall has revealed how a text message to AP McCoy led leading light Iroko to the stable's door.

"My dad has a syndicate in France which buys ten foals every year and had built up a relationship with owner JP McManus," he said,

"Iroko finished second at Auteuil and I messaged AP to say if they were inter-ested we'd love to train the horse for the team," said Greenal (inaset, top).

"It was a real thrill when he arrived here."

McCoy (inset, bottom) made it 15th time lucky in the annual Aintree highlight on McManus-owned and Jonjo O'Neill-trained Don't Push It in 2010.

The famous green and gold hoops have since picked up the pace for 2021 strikes with Minella Times and I Am Maximus last year.

McManus felt Iroko was the right type for the 30 fence, 4m2½f test after watching him keep on strongly for second behind his Mildmay Novices' Chase and 2025 Gold Cup hero Inothewayurthinkin on Merseyside.