Racing:Alan Fleming has revealed Tony McCoy will partner Starluck on his chasing debut at Huntingdon on Thursday with a view to riding him in the Arkle Trophy at Cheltenham.
The six-year-old was last seen finishing third in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton but he is now set for a late-season switch to the larger obstacles.
With regular rider Timmy Murphy set to partner leading fancy Ghizao at Cheltenham, Fleming has been on the lookout for a new jockey and is delighted to have secured the services of the 15-time champion jockey.
"All going well, he'll run on Thursday and he's in good form," said Fleming. "Obviously he's best on good ground but he'll run on soft. He'll go just as long as it's not heavy.
"Tony McCoy has been down to school him and he's going to ride him on Thursday. He's free and he doesn't really have a horse to ride in the Arkle. We couldn't have Timmy so to have someone as good as AP to ride instead is great.
"We'll have to see what turns up on Thursday, but we're looking forward to it."