The races that had Members' Club subscribers clicking the 'replay' button

There are thousands of races in Britain and Ireland each year, but it is not always the ones you might expect that prove most popular when it comes to watching the action back.

This year's top five most-watched replays on racingpost.com include both jump and Flat races, with everything from the Derby to the Betfair Hurdle covered. A combination of both quality action and the chance to unearth big-race clues for the future seems to be the common theme.

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1. Chanelle Pharma Novice Hurdle

Leopardstown, February 7

There is no substitute for quality and that is exactly what was on show in the Chanelle Pharma Novice Hurdle, as Appreciate It stretched his unbeaten record over hurdles to three with an all-the-way success under Paul Townend.

Sent off the 1-3 favourite, there was certainly no surprise about the result but those keen to study the race in more detail clearly knew they were watching a key piece of form for the following month's Cheltenham Festival.

Appreciate It of course went on to land the Supreme Novices' Hurdle in bloodless fashion in March, with Ballyadam, who chased him home at Leopardstown, again filling the runner-up spot.

Blue Lord, third at Leopardstown, would actually have reversed form with Ballyadam had he not fallen at the last in the Supreme, proving February's Leopardstown race the key pointer to the festival's opening contest.

Members can click here to watch the replay

2. Betfair Hurdle

Newbury, February 21

The Betfair Hurdle turned into a family affair, with Jonjo O'Neill snr and jnr teaming up with Soaring Glory to beat Gary Moore and his son Josh in second with Fifty Ball.

Always one of the most competitive handicaps of the season, the 2021 Betfair Hurdle produced a feel-good story, with O'Neill jnr describing it as the biggest winner he had partnered for his dad.

Soaring Glory (maroon silks) leads in the Betfair HurdleCredit: Edward Whitaker

It was a striking performance from the winner, who scythed through the pack to lead before the last before putting three lengths between himself and the runner-up.

It was a race that went on to produce countless winners, including subsequent Grade 1-winning chaser Edwardstone in third, this season's Coral Hurdle winner Buzz in fifth and recent International Hurdle hero Guard Your Dreams sixth.

Members can click here to watch the replay

3. Cazoo Derby

Epsom, June 5

A daring winning ride by a jockey who had never before tasted Classic success gave the Derby a compelling storyline on the first Saturday in June.

Having lost the ride to Frankie Dettori on the more-fancied John Leeper, Adam Kirby was parachuted in for the ride on Adayar, seemingly Godolphin's and trainer Charlie Appleby's third-string in the race.

Adam Kirby celebrates on top of Adayar after winning the Cazoo DerbyCredit: John Walton (Getty Images)

From an awkward draw in one, Kirby was positive on the 16-1 shot from the stalls, forcing him up to take a prominent position on the inside rail. A brute of a horse, Adayar had to sit and suffer momentarily in the home straight but as leader Gear Up peeled away from the rail, Kirby forced his partner's huge frame into the opening and Adayar slingshotted to the front.

Unleashing his huge stride, Adayar galloped on powerfully from there and was never going to be caught, with 50-1 chance Mojo Star coming through for second, albeit four and a half lengths behind the winner, to complete a Classic result so few could have predicted.

Members can click here to watch the replay

4. Coventry Stakes

Ascot, June 15

Arguably Royal Ascot's most prestigious two-year-old race, the Coventry Stakes is always a race to revisit when considering the big juvenile races which follow later in the season.

The 2021 edition had a wide-open feel beforehand and heading into the final furlong it was all to play for with the runners fanned across the course.

Berkshire Shadow and Oisin Murphy win the Coventry StakesCredit: Edward Whitaker

On just his second start, Berkshire Shadow took time to find his feet early on but when a huge gap appeared along the stands' rail, he engaged overdrive under Oisin Murphy to hit the front inside the final half-furlong and forge clear for a decisive one-and-a-quarter-length verdict.

Berkshire Shadow failed to win again in three starts but the Coventry once again proved a trusted form guide to the big two-year-old races later in the season, with fifth-home Ebro River and 13th Angel Bleu going on to Group 1 success.

Members can click here to watch the replay

5. Lawlor's Of Naas Novice Hurdle

Naas, January 13

This was the day Bob Olinger cemented his already huge reputation with a first Grade 1 success and it could hardly have been any easier for the 6-4 favourite.

A name highly spoken about since winning his only point-to-point by 15 lengths, Bob Olinger slowly put the squeeze on his rivals from the second last, drawing right away in the closing stages to beat the useful Blue Lord by six and a half lengths.

Bob Olinger: top-class over hurdles last seasonCredit: Patrick McCann

A performance that is still enjoyable to watch now, it became even more relevant for form students before Bob Olinger bolted up in the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival and no doubt it will be watched a fair few times again as he continues his climb to the top of the chasing ranks this season.

Members can click here to watch the replay

Two more notable top fives from 2021 . . .

Most tracked horses

1. Ahoy Senor
2. Journey With Me
3. Jonbon
4. Mohaafeth
5. My Drogo

Most searched profiles

1. Adayar
2. Envoi Allen
3. Hurricane Lane
4. Snowfall
5. Tiger Roll

Read more from our Best of 2021 series:

'Luck was on our side' – Blackmore performs incredible sit to win match race

Sir Mark Prescott: 'I was completely stitched up – it was a bitter experience' (Members' Club)

'I backed him at 66-1, 100-1 and 150-1' – owner confident bookies had it wrong

Aidan O'Brien: 'Drug talk must stop – don't tear apart the sport with no facts' (Members' Club)

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