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Our favourite rides over the obstacles

Whether it’s a confident hold-up ride or six-furlong cajoling, we’ve seen some brilliant performances in the saddle over the years. Here at Tote Towers, we’ve put together our top-five rides of all time.

Paul Carberry on Monbeg Dude - Welsh National - 2012

Top of the pile is Paul Carberry’s Welsh National win on Monbeg Dude. Davy Russell described the performance as the greatest ride of all-time and who are we to argue?

In typical Carberry style, Monbeg Dude was held-up in the rear but jumping poorly. At the 14th, Carberry began to make his move, picking off his rivals but continued to fiddle at his fences. Carberry kept the Dude together after smashing the penultimate and final obstacles before staying on strongly to beat Teaforthree. An absolute masterclass.

AP McCoy on Wichita Lineman - Festival Trophy Handicap Chase - 2009

If there’s one man you’d want on a horse who just isn’t travelling, it’s AP McCoy. Detached from the main group, niggled away from every fence and off the bridle most of the race, plenty of backers will have already torn up their slips before the 13th.

After the second last, the eight-year-old started to make an impression, going into fifth under a McCoy drive. Even at the last, the race seemed to be sewn up with Daryl Jacob and Maljimar out in front. That was until Wichita Lineman found an extra gear, flying up the hill to chin him into second.

Ruby Walsh on Tidal Bay - Lexus Chase - 2012

There must be fewer sights in sport more demoralising for rivals than a motionless Ruby Walsh looming over your shoulder. However, Tidal Bay’s 2012 Lexus win was far from textbook.

Ruby really had to get to work on Graham Wylie’s stayer a long way out, but it’s not just the Kildare man’s graft that makes this ride worthy. A brilliant piece of navigation from Ruby saw him find the gap between Flemenstar and First Lieutenant to stick his head in front. The celebration says it all.

AP McCoy on Synchronised - Gold Cup - 2012

With over 4000 winners to his name, it’s no surprise that AP McCoy’s name appears twice on this list. On-and-off the bit throughout and looking thoroughly outpaced turning for home, McCoy asked his mount for a big one at the last and Synchronised duly obliged.

Jonjo O'Neill's charge stayed on strongly up the hill to land the honours. A classic ride from the Champ to win his second Gold Cup.

Paul Carberry on Harchibald - Christmas Hurdle - 2004

There have been fewer greater judges of pace ever than Paul Carberry - a prime example of that being his win in the 2004 Christmas Hurdle.

Old favourite Rooster Booster was sent 25 lengths clear by Richard Johnson and didn’t look like stopping turning for home. Carberry kept his cool and slowly reeled in the long-time leader, eventually going past him in the closing stages under hands and heels.


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