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From Grand National glory to angering his uncle - David Mullins' top five rides

David Mullins look at stable mate Faugheen before winning the stanjames.com Morgiana Hurdle
David Mullins look at stable mate Faugheen before winning the stanjames.com Morgiana HurdleCredit: Patrick McCann

1 Rule The World (Grand National, 2016)

The biggest stage; the biggest audience; the biggest moment of his life.

Mullins looked like a seasoned pro rather than a 19-year-old rookie riding in the race for the first time. He he was always in the right place at the right time on the 33-1 shot who had never won over fences before. Others would have panicked and hit the front too early, but he bided his time and waited until the elbow to make his move.

"At every stage of the race he had him in the right place," said winning trainer Mouse Morris. It was a mature ride from a young rider going places.

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2 Nichols Canyon (Morgiana Hurdle, 2015)

Faugheen was 1-6 to register an 11th straight success. He had never been beaten before.

According to Willie Mullins, the Champion Hurdle winner from the previous season left Nichols Canyon for dead in a piece of work earlier that week.

He couldn't repeat the feat when it mattered most, though, and much of that was down to the brilliance of Mullins.

The fresh-faced 19-year-old dictated matters from the front, giving his mount a breather leaving the back straight before kicking again off the home turn. He was strong in the finish too. It was a fabulous front-running ride.

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3 Kemboy (Savills Chase, 2018)

Willie Mullins admitted afterwards that he "couldn’t think of enough swear words to say to David after the race" as his nephew swept to the front of the Savills Chase with a circuit to race.

It was not part of the pre-race script but rather a spontaneous piece of riding from Mullins, who thought the pace was much more sedate than he would have liked. It proved an inspired decision.

Kemboy and David Mullins on their way to victory in the Savills Chase
Kemboy and David Mullins on their way to victory in the Savills ChaseCredit: Alan Crowhurst

Kemboy never saw another rival after taking the lead and stormed to a seven-and-a-half length win over Monalee.

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4 Bellshill (Punchestown Gold Cup, 2018)

Just 23 days before the Punchestown Gold Cup, David Mullins had Irish Grand National glory snatched from his grasp as Bellshill almost refused at the final fence and threw victory away.

The pair were reunited in the feature of the Punchestown festival and this time the 4-1 shot flew the last and fended off Djakadam by three quarters of a length.

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5 Some Neck (Florida Pearl Novice Chase, 2018)

The fact that the lazy grey gelding hit a high of 269-1 on Betfair in-running tells you all you need to know. Victory never looked likely and this was a reward for perseverance for Mullins.

A mistake four out looked the last straw as Some Neck lost valuable ground on the even-money favourite Blow By Blow. He was not fluent over two out either, but Mullins someone managed to conjure a last-gasp effort after the last and got up to win by a neck.

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Deputy Ireland editor

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