McCoy finally won the Grand National in his 15th attempt

Jonjo O'Neill is backing jockey Tony McCoy as a worthy winner of BBC Sports Personality of the Year for 2010.

McCoy rode the O'Neill-trained Don't Push It to victory in the Grand National at Aintree in April.

"He's a fantastic sportsman, he's a credit to the game - if he doesn't get it this time he'll never get it," O'Neill told BBC Radio Gloucestershire.

"To be 15-times champion jockey in succession, that's unheard of, and we'll never see or hear it again."

McCoy, who is universally known by initials 'AP' has been named on the shortlist of 10 sportsmen and women in the running for the award, which is still yet to be won by anyone from the world of racing.

Nobody expects to win because if you go in with that attitude you'll probably win nothing Jonjo O'Neill

McCoy rides regularly for Jonjo O'Neill, whose Jackdaws Castle yard in the North Cotswolds is owned by Irish magnate JP McManus, owner of Don't Push It.

Although McCoy will get O'Neill's vote, he knows AP is far too modest to get carried away with thoughts of winning the award.

"Nobody expects to win because if you go in with that attitude you'll probably win nothing and everybody would clobber you," he said.

"He's a very nice chap, he's a great ambassador for the whole sport and he's a great guy to work with, I certainly for one hope that he'll get it."

The possibility of McCoy winning the award is seen by many in jump racing as something which could give the sport a massive boost.

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