Despite his many successes, McCoy has yet to enjoy victory in the country's most high-profile race, the Grand National at Aintree.

The closest he has come so far is third in 2001 and 2002 on board Blowing Wind and the same finish in 2006 on Clan Royal.

"I keep saying every year that I will win the National but it hasn't really happened for me yet for one reason or another," he said.

"If I retire and I haven't won the National by then, I won't see it as a major failure. It's something that some people are lucky to have and some people aren't and you need everything to go right.

"There are a lot better jockeys who went before me like Peter Scudamore, John Francome and Jonjo O'Neill who didn't win the National and there will be better jockeys after me who won't win it."