David Probert: 'I would have done justice to these better rides five years ago'

Until recently, David Probert's career was symbolised by the way he was pipped in the race to be champion apprentice in 2009.

Back then, he had narrowed the gap on Freddy Tylicki to a single winner on the penultimate day of the season. But with the score standing at 68-67, Probert was denied the chance of a grandstand finish on the closing day by a suspension he had incurred the previous week. He got himself into contention but came up agonisingly short.

The same was true of Probert's career over the next 12 years. He had made a decent living, riding the occasional winner of note, yet seemed destined to be remembered as a man who made up the numbers.