McCoy farewell fever dominates National build-up

Horse Racing - Cheltenham Festival - Cheltenham Racecourse - 12/3/15 Tony McCoy on Uxizandre celebrates after winning the 14:40 Ryanair Chase Action Images via Reuters / Matthew Childs Livepic

LIVERPOOL (Reuters) - A giant illuminated image of Tony McCoy beams out from Liverpool's famous Liver Building this week as the Grand National, Britain's most iconic horse race, stands in thrall to the man with a claim on being the nation's greatest sportsman.

McCoy, the 40-year-old jump jockey from Northern Ireland who has broken seemingly every bone in his body as well as every record in the book, is favourite to win Saturday's 168th edition of the race aboard Shutthefrontdoor in what will be his record 20th and final National ride.