Racing: SO WHO'S THE RACING KING?

0 Comments | Sunday Mirror, Feb 2, 2003

WHO IS the greatest racing figure of all time? A tricky question, but one that is about to be answered in our sister publication the Racing Post.

The Post is now down to a final 12 contenders in its 100 Racing Greats poll and racing fans will decide top dog in a telephone poll that runs up to February 8.

Ladbrokes and Coral have priced the competition up and Vincent O'Brien and Lester Piggott are the joint favourites with Ladbrokes at 6-4, with AP McCoy third best at 7-1.

There are then some fascinating price variations with the Queen Mum 50-1 with republican Coral and just 10-1 at royalist Ladbrokes, while M Pipe is 14-1 with Lads and 40s at Coral.

My view is that Vincent should get the nod over Lester in this intriguing battle between two men who formed one of the most legendary racing partnerships of all time.

If there is a bet about the place it has to be AP each-way at 7-1 as you can't lose money on him.

These polls tend to be driven by topicaility and the public rightly love AP, while O'Brien will ring few bells with voters under 35 and even the mighty Lester may be past the sell-by date with some.

So my advice is to go and have an each-way tickle on Tony.