Racing Post writers select their favourite rides of the jumps season

From the ice cool to the brave and the downright dogged, enjoy our pick from the best of the best.

Deadly Derek gets it done

The jockey Derek O'Connor
The horse Any Second Now
Watch the raceFulke Walwyn Kim Muir Chase, Cheltenham 14/03/19

Quite a few of the more notable rides of the season occurred at the Cheltenham Festival, such as Bryony Frost on Frodon and Barry Geraghty on Sire Du Berlais, but one that deserves a lot more than a mention in passing is the ride Derek O'Connor gave Any Second Now to win the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir.

The smile says it all: Derek O'Connor returns to the Cheltenham winner's enclosure aboard Any Second NowCredit: Grossick Racing 07710461723

The horse was still a maiden after nine starts over fences, had found more than one way to lose, and, to say the least, was not the most genuine horse in the world.

However, the way O'Connor switched him off, crept him closer, and got him to the front and up the hill without the horse knowing he had been in a race was a masterclass from the champion point-to-point rider.

Justin O'Hanlon

Cobden all class on Clan Des Obeaux

The jockey Harry Cobden
The horse Clan Des Obeaux
Watch the race32Red King George VI Chase, Kempton 26/12/18

The 20-year-old refused to be fazed by the pressure of the biggest ride of his young life and judged things perfectly to land the most prestigious prize of the winter.

David Carr

Nicol's never-say-die attitude the key

The jockey Adam Nicol
The horse Skipthescales
Watch the race188Bet Casino Chase, Newcastle 22/12/18

This was unquestionably one of the most remarkable races of the season. Skipthescales was a warm favourite at Newcastle, but punters were accepting defeat as the five runners turned for home with Adam Nicol's mount looking well beaten.

He wasn't even in the TV shot as four tussled for the lead over the penultimate fence, but from nowhere Nicol had galvanised his mount who came charging home.

He was still last over the final fence but continued to power home for an unbelievable success. A remarkable never-say-die effort from both Nicol and Skipthescales.

James Stevens

Unlikely heroes: Adam Nicol and Skipthescales came from a near impossible position to score at Newcastle in DecemberCredit: Grossick Racing 07710461723

Bowen the coming man

The jockey Sean Bowen
The horse Winston C
Watch the raceBernhard Lighting Rig H'cap Hurdle, Kelso 23/03/19

The horse failed to travel or jump with much fluency on ground that was on the quick side, but Bowen refused to concede defeat as he galvanised his mount from the second-last hurdle and the pair eventually prevailed in a tight finish.

It was a ride worthy of a future champion jockey as Bowen has the attributes of Johnson and McCoy all rolled into one.

Andrew King

Skelton's Houdini act worthy of praise

The jockey Harry Skelton
The horse Anytime Will Do
Watch the raceMansionBet Novices' Hurdle, Huntingdon 21/02/19

Harry Skelton is in a precarious position on Anytime Will DoCredit: Dan Abraham

Despite only finishing fifth of eight, the fact Anytime Will Do completed at all is a testament to the desire and competitive streak of Harry Skelton in never giving up.

The jockey looked to have been unseated by his mount after jumping the last but miraculously managed to hang on to the six-year-old's neck and readjust. A real "Harry Houdini" moment.

Andrew Wilsher

Coleman gets a tune out of tricky Chef

The Jockey Aidan Coleman
The horse Chef Des Obeaux
Watch the racePertemps Industrial Novice Chase, Chepstow 23/02/19

The Nicky Henderson-trained seven-year-old is far from an easy ride on the best of days given he likes to take the odd fence with him rather than clearing them with ease.

He has failed to complete in four of his last six races (one unseat and three times pulled up) but somehow Aidan Coleman managed to get him home in what was effectively a match race over 3m2f.

Never looking comfortable thanks to his poor jumping technique, Coleman managed to coax him into contention and Chef Des Obeaux galloped on gamely to win by 18 lengths at the line.

Tom Collins

Poste and Eaton Miller a fine match

The jockey Ben Poste
The horse Eaton Miller
Watch the raceLike Racing TV on Facebook Handicap Chase, Huntingdon 11/04/19

This gelding looked like finishing out with the washing when starting to backpedal down the back straight on the final circuit and he was detached from the leading quartet approaching the home turn.

But at no point did Poste look like throwing in the towel and he found an equally willing partner, as Eaton Miller dug really deep to reel in his rivals in the final stride.

Pietro Innocenzi

Townend's Golden glory

The jockey Paul Townend
The horse Al Boum Photo
The raceMagners Cheltenham Gold Cup, Cheltenham 15/03/19

In control: Paul Townend and Al Boum Photo on their way to Gold Cup gloryCredit: Alan Crowhurst

There probably isn't such a thing as a bad Gold Cup winning ride, but Townend deserves real credit for judging the pace of those in front and the comfort zone of his own horse so well.

Al Boum Photo was in the last three turning away from the grandstands for the first time and Townend let his partner move gradually into the race, paying little heed early on to the previous season's trailblazing principals, Native River and Might Bite.

By the time the field ran down the hill for the final time Al Boum Photo was travelling all over the tiring leaders, but Townend delayed his challenge – surviving momentary scrimmaging on the bend – before launching his bid for sporting immortality at the second-last.

Scott Burton

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