 McCoy's 2008 National mount, Butler's Cabin, is entered once again
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Tony McCoy will leave punters guessing until as late as possible over his chosen mount for the Grand National.
The 13-time champion jockey has made no secret of his desire to add this race to his catalogue of success and has the choice of four JP McManus-owned horses.
Butler's Cabin, a warm order in the betting for Saturday's big race, appears the most attractive option.
But McCoy fell from the nine-year-old 12 months ago and is thought to be considering a switch to L'Ami.
Butler's Cabin, trained by Jonjo O'Neill in Gloucestershire, was travelling superbly for McCoy before parting company with his jockey in an uncharacteristic fall at Becher's Brook on the second circuit.
He has been quietly campaigned in shorter handicaps this term and is priced at around 9-1 for the four-and-a-half miler.
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606: DEBATE
shortheadwin
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L'Ami, trained in Ireland and a 20-1 shot, has had a fine season but has a history of poor jumping and was another to fall in the 2008 National.
McManus' racing manager Frank Berry insists there is no rush for McCoy to decide which of the owner's four entries he will ride.
But it would be a big shock if he went for either Can't Buy Time (40-1) or Reveillez (100-1).
Berry said: "There is no pressure for Tony to make up his mind, because we have jockeys ready for the other horses. I'm sure he will wait to see what the ground is on Thursday morning.
"Butler's Cabin jumped well for a long way last year and has come back and run a good race in the Kim Muir at Cheltenham.
"He's a bit higher in the weights this year but he has come out of his last race well - and you would have to be pleased with him."
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He jumps fences the best way for a National horse, he's not extravagant and is quite a clever horse
Brooklyn Brownie's trainer Malcolm Jefferson
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L'Ami made it only as far as the second fence 12 months ago, ending the riding career of Mick Fitzgerald with a crashing fall.
Berry said of the 10-year-old gelding: "He's been round the cross-country courses a few times since and he has got sharper at it. He's fit and well, so I hope he will run a good race."
Meanwhile, Malcolm Jefferson believes Brooklyn Brownie (33-1) could go well, having finished second over the giant fences in the Grand Sefton back in November.
The trainer said: "I just thought we'd give him a run over the National fences, because he's always had the appetite to jump. He ran well to finish second, and I said to his owners then if everything went right we would aim for the National - and that's what we've done.
"He jumps fences probably the best way for a National horse, because he's not over extravagant and he is quite a clever horse. Over four-and-a-half miles, you never know - but he ticks a few boxes."
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