Champion jockey Tony McCoy is delighted that next week’s December Gold Cup at Cheltenham has been named the Vote AP Gold Cup, describing himself as “chuffed” by the news.

Sign up with SportingBet through Cheltenhampro and get a free £50 bet on this weekend's Vote AP Gold Cup at Cheltenham.  Head to the site now to see the odds for the big race.

The legendary jockey is one of the leading candidates for this year’s BBC Sports Personality of the Year award and the whole racing community is backing the superstar ahead of the ceremony.

"Whether or not I am voted BBC Sports Personality of the Year, I will never be able to argue that racing didn't make an effort on my behalf," McCoy explained.

"The support I have received has been overwhelming, and I would like to thank everybody. Win or lose, it is just an honour to make the last 10.  I am especially chuffed that Cheltenham, the spiritual home of jump racing, should name a race in my honour, and one so steeped in history.

"I won it for Martin Pipe in 1998 on Northern Starlight. He was only a pony, but he could jump like a stag. This year I ride either Dancing Tornado or Sunnyhillboy.

"This news has brightened an otherwise very quiet and, of late, boring week.  To be honest, the first two days rest were welcome as I was still pretty sore from my fall at Newbury. But the last four days have been even more painful, truly boring!"

Head to Sporting Bet to see all the runners and odds for the Vote AP Gold Cup.