The greatest-ever jump jockey AP McCoy said he misses the thrill and danger of riding - as he tips who could win Friday's Cheltenham Gold Cup for Express readers. Sir AP McCoy rode a record 4,358 winners, was Champion Jockey a record 20 consecutive times, won the Gold Cup twice - in 1997 with Mr Mulligan and 2012 with Synchronised - and the 2010 Grand National on Don't Push It.

The married father-of-two retired in 2015 and was knighted by the Queen the following year, with his record of racing wins unrivalled anywhere in the world. Now a part of ITV Racing's coverage for the four-day festival, the 51 year-old William Hill ambassador has sat down with the Daily Express to explain the magic of Cheltenham - and who could win Friday's big race.

Explaining what makes Cheltenham unique, AP said: "If you come here on Friday and you have a look around you'll realise what's different about it.

"It's the highlight of the year in jump racing, the most difficult race to win - the best horse wins the Cheltenham Gold Cup. That's what makes it special.

"We've last year's winner Inothewayurthinkin coming back to try and win it but if someone told you on a Friday night that one of any of the 10 horses won the Gold Cup you wouldn't be shocked.

"So, that's what makes it brilliant."

Having ridden in 19 Cheltenham Gold Cups, AP admitted he was "lucky to win two" - saying the second time on Synchronised was "my best day in racing."

He went on: "When I was a kid I really wanted to be a jockey, that was the dream and I lived the dream - and I'm very lucky now that I can go and talk about racing but it's not the same."

Reflecting on how much he misses the thrill - and danger - of being in the saddle, he added: "I like the structure, the discipline.

"It's a very difficult thing because I've had friends who have been fatally injured, or had life changing injuries - but I miss the danger, I miss living on the edge and I miss winning more than anything else.

"But when you're competing there's two ambulances going round behind you, so as much not as you love winning, you know the dangers there too.

"You can't replace it that thrill - you just have to learn to live with it. You just have to realise how lucky you are to have lived like that. I think sports people are the only people who could die twice."

And giving his tip for who could win the Gold Cup at 4pm on Friday, AP said: "It's like all elite sport, it isn't meant to be easy - and you can have the most talented horse but you'll have to be the toughest one too.

"The ground will have a big factor. Gaelic Warrior is probably the most talented horse and could be the one that could take all the beating.

"The Jukebox Man would be a brilliant winner for the sport, because of Harry Redknapp - but maybe I'd probably go with Spillane's Tower."