Coleman up for champion tussle
AIDAN COLEMAN reckons when his cruising mount fell six fences from home when leading last season’s Grand national, the surge of injustice coursed through his veins for all of 20 seconds before he mentally moved on.
The jockey who has arguably made the biggest career move in the post-AP Mccoy era concedes that would not always have been the case.
it indicates how the 27-year-old, closest pursuer to Richard Johnson in the battle to inherit Mccoy’s champion’s crown, has matured into the complete jump jockey.
Coleman (right) said: ‘There were 15 to 20 seconds after The druids nephew fell when i thought: “oh s***” but then i had to get on with it. it was extremely annoying but it’s done even if you throw your toys out of the pram.
‘Years of being a jump jockey prepare you. i don’t think normal people understand the emotions we go through every day — massive highs, massive lows, physical and mental pain.
‘You learn to roll with the punches and if you take it badly you won’t last very long. it is why jump jockeys come good from the late 20s. We have learned the hard way and i feel it is coming together for me.’
The jumps season has definitely ‘come together’ for the irishman.
A new retainer with trainer John Ferguson, picking up many rides that last season were being served up to Mccoy, has yielded more than 50 winners and the alliance has been forged while maintaining ties with old boss Venetia Williams.
it has left Coleman with 86 winners, on the verge of achieving his first seasonal century and launching a challenge for the title that looked inevitable when he was leading conditional jockey in 2008.
‘my numbers have been fantastic. Richard Johnson’s have been even more fantastic but that’s fine,’ said Coleman. ‘i was always pretty confident when i got this job this would be a particularly good season for me. AP is a massive loss but his retirement has opened a lot of doors.’
Coleman, whose mounts at Ascot this afternoon include Ferguson’s el namoose in the Beginners Chase, trails Johnson by 53 wins but his new job has allowed him to leapfrog the pack of title aspirants.
‘dicky was always a certainty to be champion jockey barring injury. i will be trying to give him something to think about but it will be a difficult task,’ said Coleman.
‘i want to be the best i can be which means being champion. That means more than anything in racing. i am hoping to have 10 or 15 years having a crack at it.’
Aidan Coleman is sponsored by horseracing channel Racing UK, which is offering a free one-month trial (normally £22.98 per month). Visit www.racinguk.com/freetrial or call 0844 472 5777.