Iris's Gift has not had the best build-up to Cheltenham

The grey is around 20-1 for the race, despite falling in a public schooling session at Haydock and at a novices' event at Warwick last month.

"He is a very talented horse but his jumping has been a bit disappointing," said the champion jockey.

"But if he is ever going to go for a Gold Cup he may as well go for it this year rather than any other."

McCoy added: "When I won on him in October in a little novices' chase around Cheltenham he gave me as good a feel as any horse ever has done in respect to having to jump, gallop and stay.

"He has been disappointing since, though, but you can't go out on him thinking that he is going to make a mistake at every fence.

"If I can manage to get the horse jumping well he would have to have every chance. The owner is very keen to go for the race and I certainly wouldn't try and put him off."