Cheltenham's Greatest Ever: McCoy and Wichita Lineman voted the best

AP McCoy’s unforgettable ride on Wichita Lineman at the 2009 Cheltenham Festival has been voted as the greatest in the history of the world famous event by horse racing fans. He may be retired, but ‘the champ’ continues to be a winner in the hearts of horse racing followers, according to a poll of our punters conducted.

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And following his incredibly successful campaign at Cheltenham earlier this month, there was another clean sweep for Limerick racehorse owner JP McManus with Synchronised, also ridden by McCoy in the 2012 Gold Cup, voted in at number 2.

Hot on his heels is Sire Du Berlais, also owned by Mr McManus and the mount of Barry Geraghty in the 2019 Pertemps Final, coming in at third position for the best ride ever witnessed at Cheltenham.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=flJ7XOWWFrM

The fourth finalist was Pacha Du Polder ridden by Harriet Tucker in the 2018 Christies Foxhunters Chase.

Another classic 1-2-3 by JP McManus.

The poll was conducted via our, ahem, amazing social media channels, with 16 of the best rides in the history of the Cheltenham Festival split into four groups of four, allowing fans to vote on their most memorable ride in each, resulting in a four-way final.

When we sat down to thrash this one out, the first horse on everyone’s lips was Wichita Lineman. The ride became an instant classic on the opening day of the 2009 Festival and is fondly remembered by all racing fans. It’s no surprise that he topped the final group by a comfortable margin. AP McCoy also filled the second spot for winning the Gold Cup on Synchronised while Sire Du Berlais clearly gained a legion of fans by winning at the last two Festivals.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lbtO__k7bYY

An honourable mention goes to Harriet Parker and Pacha Du Polder who emerged from a very competitive Group D against Ruby Walsh, Paul Carberry & Richard Johnson. It is remarkable that her Cheltenham Foxhunters success was her only ever winner on the race track.