OpinionMarcus Townend
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Let’s raise a glass to The Reliables - without whom racing simply wouldn’t function

Marcus Townend salutes some jumping stalwarts past and present

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Guest columnist
Winter Fog and Brian Hayes on their way to victory in the Grade 3 Grimes Hurdle at Tipperary
Winter Fog: unsung hero who always turns upCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Those who have ever run a cricket team will probably have a soft spot for a certain type of player and it isn’t the flashy batter who will regularly score you a fifty or the bowler who always nicks a few wickets.

Sure, you need them in your team if you are to be successful, but you also treasure a solid supply of The Reliables: not necessarily the most talented players but the ones who will never let you down, especially when you are struggling to get 11 players on the pitch.

They invariably make themselves available, are happy to help out with the scoring or a spot of umpiring, help to put out the boundary rope or volunteer to collect the match fees.

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Published on inMarcus Townend

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