What can we say about Tony McCoy that hasn't been uttered by someone already?

I think, and hope, plenty. Like everyone else who is interested in this wonderful sport I am going to miss him when he retires after Sandown this afternoon.

He is the best there has ever been, we've been spoilt watching him winning on horses that are not the best horse in that particular race, on any day and at any part of the country.

I'm really going to miss him and have little doubt jump racing is going to feel a tad empty for a while as we accustom our selves to the sport being without him.

I've been so lucky to know him for roughly 17 years, rode against him and in that time I've seen all sides of him, the good, the great and the modest man he truly is.

For someone who has been so single minded in his quest for winners it's unreal that he's so caring about other people and, of course, the horses themselves.

Today, unsurprisingly, Sandown is sold out as McCoy enters the weighing room for the final time for his two rides, Mr Mole and Box Office, both owned by his retained owner JP McManus.

Mr Mole is trained by Paul Nicholls and no doubt he would love to provide McCoy with the perfect send-off.

The seven-year-old has been called plenty of names in the past, but has won three of his four starts this season, completing the hat-trick in Newbury's Game Spirit Chase in February on the day McCoy made the shock announcement he would be retiring at the end of the season.

Mr Mole disappointed in the Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival last month, but has been carefully prepared by the champion trainer since in a bid to ensure he is in the best possible shape to give McCoy a fairytale ending.

"There is nothing I would like more on Saturday than to provide AP McCoy with a winner on his final day in the saddle," Nicholls said yesterday. "He has already won on Mr Mole several times and I've kept the horse fresh since Cheltenham for the AP McCoy Celebration Chase at Sandown.

"Just imagine the reception he will get if he comes home in front on Mr Mole in the green and gold colours of his greatest supporter JP McManus.

"He (Mr Mole) worked great on Wednesday morning, but then he always does work great. He's in good shape, he's fresh and well so I'm really looking forward to running him.

"AP got to like him a bit more this year, he's won three good races on him and he's been very progressive.

"Saturday is a highly-competitive race and it's going to be on quick ground but we're happy with him anyway."

His final ride will be on Box Office, an unexposed horse and 20 runners doesn't make it easy, but if any one can, McCoy can!

Speaking yesterday the Irishman admitted: "I am looking forward to certain things: having breakfast every day and not standing on a weighing scales every day; not getting in the car some days for seven or eight hours regularly, a couple of times a week; not spending seven days a week literally travelling. Things like that, I'm not going to miss.

"But I'm not complaining, because I also wish I could do it for another 20 years, that's for sure."

We wish he could have another 20 years; he can't but has left us with a lifetime of memories. The best.