Don't write off stricken O'Connor for title yet

The achievement of being crowned champion jockey in any national hunt discipline can be as much about keeping the body in one piece.

Tony McCoy rode more than 4,000 winners but it was his ability to stay sufficiently sound to remain champion for 20 consecutive seasons which had most within the sport in awe of his achievements.

For Derek O’Connor, ten titles were acquired before the sequence was broken, which in itself is unprecedented in this sport allowing him to win more than 1,000 races between the flags.