THE Grand National is always a massive event, but with the hype surrounding the soon to be retiring Tony McCoy, it's gone ballistic, which is fantastic for this wonderful sport.

Make no mistake, if McCoy's mount Shutthefrontdoor wins the world's most famous race the 19 times Champion Jockey will announce his retirement there and then.

In a relaxed mood before racing yesterday, McCoy said: "When you start out as a jump jockey, the Grand National is the race you want to take part it in and more than that the race you want to win. It's the greatest horse race in the world," McCoy, who will be having a record-breaking 20th National ride, said.

"I think maybe my first memory of the Grand National was Last Suspect (1985) when I was about ten or 11, as I remember my grandmother backing him at 50-1. It's different in that it is the one race everyone around the country and all over the world stops to watch."

Should Shutthefrontdoor come up short, McCoy can retire safe in the knowledge he did conquer the National following that memorable triumph aboard Don't Push It five years ago.

Trained by Jonjo O'Neill and owned by JP McManus – like Shutthefrontdoor – Don't Push It galloped clear up the world famous run-in to give a jubilant McCoy the victory he had long craved.

"My win on Don't Push It in 2010 was definitely one of, if not the greatest day of my racing career. I had 14 attempts before, so to do it for JP and Jonjo made the circumstances very special," said the Ulsterman.

"There were a couple of times before when I thought I was definitely going to win only for circumstances to go against me, so I didn't really believe it with Don't Push It until around 100 yards from the line. You never win the Grand National until you are past the post."

With all the once a year punters lumping on McCoy Shutthefrontdoor appears certain to go off one of the shortest-priced National favourites for many a year purely down to the man who is riding him, but his form is not too shabby, either.

The eight-year-old has already won an Irish Grand National and was hugely impressive on his only previous outing this season at Carlisle in November and has been trained for this race since.

However, we know what can happen in the National and it' always good to have a few on your side, here are my three, starting with The Druids Nephew, a horse I believe has a massive chance.

Trained by Neil Mulholland, this eight-year-old won impressively at Cheltenham and is well in at the weights. Aiden Coleman takes the ride for the first time and if he takes to these unique fences I think he's got a massive chance.

Next up is Rocky Creek, trained by the best trainer, in my eyes, there has ever been in Paul Nicholls. He was fifth in last year's race, but the combination of a wind operation and being a year older makes me feel he will better that position this time around.

Last up, at a bigger price, is another Paul Nicholls inmate, this time it's Mon Parrain. The nine year-old is due to be ridden by Sean Bowen, a real talent in the saddle and he's already won on Mon Parrian.

This horse, I hope, will relish a return to these fences as he put up an excellent performance here as a five-year-old.

At 50-1, I'm happy to have a few penny's on each-way and shout him home!

So, it could be the day of all days if Shutthefrontdoor wins, I really hope he does for AP McCoy and horseracing as a sport.

McCoy aside, it's (1) The Druids Nephew (2) Rocky Creek (3) Mon Parrain. Good luck!