‘CELEBRATED National Hunt jockey who survived more than 750 falls and was the first to ride 1,000 winners over the jumps.’ Thus did The Times headline its obituary on Stan Mellor, who died on Augus 1st, aged 83.

The youngest ever to be crowned champion jockey, in the 1959/1960 season, aged 22, he retained his title over the next two seasons. However, Stan Mellor would ever be remembered for his tactical masterpiece when riding 25/1 shot Stalbridge Colonist to ambush the mighty Arkle in the 1966 Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury in November 1966. Admittedly, Arkle was set to concede 35lb to the grey outsider.