Whichever way round it is, when we submit our strings there's a degree of crossover. But which horses picked up most selections ahead of our competitions, and how did they get on?
(All wins and points are from the Punter seasons only.)
2025 Desert Flower, Field of Gold, The Lion In Winter (4/7)
2024/25 Caldwell Potter (4/7)
A record low number of picks for a top pick, for a record-priced horse that has yet to appear in the competition. Caldwell Potter started with a facile win in a Carlisle Novice Chase for 11.19 points. The jury was very much out after defeats at Cheltenham and Windsor but front-running tactics saw a fantastic flag to tape win at the Festival under Harry Cobden in the Golden Miller Limited Handicap Chase and score 18.1 points. Then it was on to Aintree for the Mildmay and the same pilot and same tactics saw the horse tough it out for another win and 28.75 points.
2024 City of Troy (7/7)
It's been four years since an 'all' pick but City of Troy flopped in the 2,000 Guineas. There were questions to be asked ahead of the Derby but the horse was mightily impressive in a comfortable two and three quarter length win and 54 points for us. It was more workmanlike at Sandown in July for the Eclipse but the horse did enough under Ryan Moore to give us all 51.25 points. At the Juddmonte in August there was another win under Moore, by a length from Calandagan for another 52.25 points.
2023/24 El Fabiolo (6/7)
Martin was the one who passed on the horse that headed into the season as Champion Chase favourite. There was an early 21.1 points from victory in the Grade Two Hilly Way in December and that was followed by 26.2 for the Grave One Dublin Chase at Leopardstown in February. But wehn it came to the spring festivals the Mullins star was found wanting. Pulled up in the Champion Chase then beaten in the Celebration Chase. Unlikely that it will have six picks next season.
2020/21 Envoi Allen (7/8)
2023 Auguste Rodin (6/7)
Peej the only Punter to turn down 159.8 points from the Aidan O'Brien star. It wasn't a perfect season by any means. The horse flopped in the 2,000 Guineas but bounced back to win the Derby and Irish Derby. There was another failure when dead last in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes but the season finished on a high with a narrow win in the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown.
2022/23 Constitution Hill (6/7)
Some of the easiest points we'll ever win. Nicky Henderson's stable star dominated the 2m-2m4f hurdling division with easy wins in the Fighting Fifth, Christmas Hurdle, the Champion Hurdle (against Ireland's best in State Man) and then in the Aintree Hurdle. All ridden by Nico De Boinville, all at various shades of long odds-on and all earning 51 points or thereabouts for the Punters.
2022 Inspiral (5/7)
The leading two-year-old filly in 2021 Inspiral was an obvious pick for some but was ruled out of the first big target, the 1000 Guineas. John and Thady Gosden had the horse ready for the Coronation Stakes at Ascot in June and it was an impressive win for 55.76 points under Frankie Dettori. The Falmouth Stakes at Newmarket the following was one of the season's big shocks. Inspiral, at 1/7, was beaten into second place after what many thought was a poor Frankie ride. Inspiral returned to winning ways at Deauville in August (30.6 points) but flopped on Champions Day at Ascot, fluffing the start and eventually finishing sixth in the Mile.
2021/22 Envoi Allen, Shishkin (5/7)
After a comfortable win before the competition started Envoi Allen was favourite for the John Durkan at Punchestown but was a well beaten sixth behind Allaho. An easy odds-on win in a three-runner race at Leopardstown scored 26.2 points. A further defeat followed at Cheltenham following wind surgery and it's unlikely the horse will get five picks again.
Shishkin started in the Desert Orchid Chase at Kempton and scored a 10-length win over Greaneteen and 42.9 points. Shishkin then took the Clarence House and a further 78.68 points after a great battle with Energumene. The horse flopped in the Champion Chase though with the performance first being blamed on the ground and then on a 'rare bone condition'.
2021 Love (6/8)
Love delivered in the Prince of Wales's Stakes at Ascot on her season opener to earn us 51.8 points but that was it for the season. Third in the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes and the Juddmonte before a second in the Blandford Stakes at the Curragh.
2020/21 Envoi Allen (7/8)
The season started with a facile win in a four-runner novice chase at Fairyhouse that earned 26.1 points. There was another easy win in a Grade 3 at Punchestown in January for another 16.3 points but that was it. Favourite for the Marsh Novices Chase at Cheltenham, Envoi Allen fell at the fourth.
2020 - Pinatubo (8/8)
The first flat 'all pick for six years didn't dominate as we hoped. Starting with a third in the 2,000 Guineas, there was a second place in the St. James' Palace Stakes two weeks later. The one win of the season came at Deauville in the Prix Jean Prat before finishing with a second place in the Prix de Moulin in September. All in all, just 40.45 points were accrued.
2019/20 - Envoi Allen, Klassical Dream, Paisley Park (6/8)
Envoi Allen won at Fairyhouse and Naas before taking the Ballymore Novices Chase at the Festival for a 79.1 point total.
Klassical Dream had two disappointing runs before the turn of the year before being ruled out with a leg infection.
Paisley Park won the Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury and Cleeve at Cheltenham for 47.9 points before a disappointing run in the Stayers' and the discovery of an irregular heartbeat.
2019 - Enable (6/8)
Returned in July, winning the Eclipse, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes and the Yorkshire Oaks before being beaten into second in the Arc for a total of 141 points.
2018/19 - Altior (8/8)
Five more wins for the Nicky Henderson stable star and 206.2 points for us all. Those wins were in the Tingle Creek, Desert Orchid, Clarence House, Champion Chase and Celebration Chase
2018 - Saxon Warrior (7/8)
Started with victory in the 2000 Guineas for 54 points but didn't win after that with two seconds, a third and two fourths behind the likes of Masar and Roaring Lion.
2017/18 - Altior (7/8)
Had a late start to the season after wind surgery but didn't miss a beat when back on track winning the Game Spirit, Champion Chase and Celebration Chase for 119.2 points.
2017 - Coronet, Order of St George (6/9)
Coronet had a season of chasing home the likes of Enable, Capri and Hydrangea so had just the one win, in the Group 2 Ribblesdale at Ascot, for 30.4 points.
Order of St George notched four wins and 77.9 points. Biggest wins were the Irish St Leger and British Champions Long Distance Cup.
2016/17 - Altior, Douvan, Thistlecrack (9/10)
Altior was coming off the back of a flawless novice hurdle season and was just as effective over the bigger obstacles, no opponent finishing closer than six lengths down. Six wins, including the Arkle and Celebration Chase, netted 147 points.
Douvan breezed through three prep races for 63.3 points but disappointed in the Champion Chase at 2/9F coming home lame.
Thistlecrack won Novice Chases at Cheltenham and Newbury then stepped up to take the King George earning 82.2 points. Picked up an injury in the Cotswold Chase and didn't win after that.
2016 - Air Force Blue, Midterm, Minding, Royal Artillery (6/9)
Air Force Blue was odds on favourite for the 2000 Guineas but finished 12th out of 13. Had three more races for a best-placed seventh.
Midterm also drew a blank in three outings.
Minding won five races, got 237.7 points and was our 2016 Horse of the Season.
Royal Artillery won just once in four races, a Group 3 at Haydock worth 26.3
2015/16 - Douvan, Faugheen (8/9)
Douvan bossed the 2m novice chase division winning at Navan and Leopardstown early in the season before claiming the big prizes at Leopardstown, Cheltenham and Aintree for 144.2 points
Faugheen suffered a surprise defeat in the Morgiana Hurdle but bounced back to take 77.2 points for the Christmas Hurdle and Irish Champion before a ligament injury finished the season early,
2015 - Found (7/9)
Five second places but just one win, a Group Three at the Curragh, for 16.6 points.
2014/15 - Annie Power, Faugheen, More of That, Simonsig (7/9)
Annie Power re-appeared in the Mares Hurdle at the Festival but capsized at the last. She did win the Mares' Champion Hurdle at Punchestown for 26.1 points.
Faugheen picked up 130.4 points on the season for four wins. They came at Ascot, Kempton and both the Cheltenham and Punchestown Champion Hurdles.
Simonsig missed the season with injury.
2014 - Kingman (9/9)
Beaten in the 2000 Guineas but won the Irish version, the St James Palace Stakes, Sussex Stakes and Prix Jacques Le Marois earning 130.2 points (and Champion 3 year-old honours.)
2013/14 - Bobs Worth, Sprinter Sacre, The New One (8/8)
Bobs Worth's only win this season was in the Lexus for 28.4 points.
Sprinter Sacre flooped in the Desert Orchid Chase and was found to have an irregular heartbeat that ended his season.
The New One won the International Hurdle and the Aintree Hurdle for 53. points but was beaten at Kempton and in the Champion Hurdle.
2013 - Toronado (7/8)
Just the one win, in the Sussex Stakes, as Dawn Approach mopped up the big races.
2012/13 - Big Buck's and Sprinter Sacre (both 9/9)
Big Buck's won his season opener at Newbury as the 1/12F but picked up a season-ending injury.
Sprinter Sacre ruled the 2m division picking up 105.1 points winning the Tingle Creek, Victor Chandler, Champion Chase and then took the 2m 4f Melling Chase.
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2011 - Frankel (9/9)
Dominant. Won all four races that season, the 2000 Guineas, the St James Palace Stakes, Sussex Stakes and Queen Elizabeth II Stakes.
2009/10 - Big Buck's (9/9)
Completely ruled the division, winning four out of four including the Long Walk, World Hurdle and Liverpool Hurdle.
2008 - New Approach (8/10)
Edged out in the British and Irish 2000 Guineas by Henrythenavigator, gained compensation in the Derby and also too the Champions Stakes on both sides of the Irish Sea.
2007/8 - Kauto Star (9/10)
Edged out Exotic Dancer in the Betfair Chase then ran away with the King George and Ascot Chase before finishing seven lengths second in the Gold Cup behind the mighty Denman and being beaten by Our Vic in the Aintree Bowl (by a nose.)
2004 - American Post, Yeats (7/10)
American Post won the French 2000 Guineas as 11/4 on favourite but failed to make the frame on two further outings.
Yeats won the Leopardstown Derby Trial at long odds on but met with a setback a few days before the showpiece at Epsom and didn't reappear until the following May,
2003 - Hawk Wing (9/10)
Coasted to victory in the Lockinge on reappearance but finished lame in only subsequent race (the Queen Anne at Ascot) and was retired to stud.
2002/3 -Moscow Flyer (9/10)
Having taken last season's Arkle, Moscow Flyer was an obvious pick for honours. After unseating Barry Geraghty in the Tingle Creek it was wins all the way - at Leopardstown, Punchestown and in the Champion Chase.
2002 - Hawk Wing (10/10)
Second four times, including the 2000 Guineas and Derby, and only win was in the Eclipse.
2001/02 - Best Mate (9/10)
Started with second places at Ascot and Kempton behind Wahiba Sands and Florida Pearl respectively but ended the season with a first Gold Cup victory.
2001 - Golan (8/10)
Won the 2000 Guineas at 11/1 on reappearance but was denied by Galileo in the Derby and that horse and Morshdi in the Irish version. Took the Prix Niel in September en route to fourth place in the Arc.
2000/01 - Looks Like Trouble (8/10)
Just the one run this season (which was curtailed by foot and mouth), victory at Down Royal in the James Nicholson Wine Merchant Champion Chase by 15 lengths from Doran's Pride.
2000 - Dubai Millennium (6/10)
Ran just the once - sluicing up in the Prince of Wales Stakes.
The first flat 'all pick for six years didn't dominate as we hoped. Starting with a third in the 2,000 Guineas, there was a second place in the St. James' Palace Stakes two weeks later. The one win of the season came at Deauville in the Prix Jean Prat before finishing with a second place in the Prix de Moulin in September. All in all, just 40.45 points were accrued.
2019/20 - Envoi Allen, Klassical Dream, Paisley Park (6/8)
Envoi Allen won at Fairyhouse and Naas before taking the Ballymore Novices Chase at the Festival for a 79.1 point total.
Klassical Dream had two disappointing runs before the turn of the year before being ruled out with a leg infection.
Paisley Park won the Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury and Cleeve at Cheltenham for 47.9 points before a disappointing run in the Stayers' and the discovery of an irregular heartbeat.
2019 - Enable (6/8)
Returned in July, winning the Eclipse, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes and the Yorkshire Oaks before being beaten into second in the Arc for a total of 141 points.
2018/19 - Altior (8/8)
Five more wins for the Nicky Henderson stable star and 206.2 points for us all. Those wins were in the Tingle Creek, Desert Orchid, Clarence House, Champion Chase and Celebration Chase
2018 - Saxon Warrior (7/8)
Started with victory in the 2000 Guineas for 54 points but didn't win after that with two seconds, a third and two fourths behind the likes of Masar and Roaring Lion.
2017/18 - Altior (7/8)
Had a late start to the season after wind surgery but didn't miss a beat when back on track winning the Game Spirit, Champion Chase and Celebration Chase for 119.2 points.
2017 - Coronet, Order of St George (6/9)
Coronet had a season of chasing home the likes of Enable, Capri and Hydrangea so had just the one win, in the Group 2 Ribblesdale at Ascot, for 30.4 points.
Order of St George notched four wins and 77.9 points. Biggest wins were the Irish St Leger and British Champions Long Distance Cup.
2016/17 - Altior, Douvan, Thistlecrack (9/10)
Altior was coming off the back of a flawless novice hurdle season and was just as effective over the bigger obstacles, no opponent finishing closer than six lengths down. Six wins, including the Arkle and Celebration Chase, netted 147 points.
Douvan breezed through three prep races for 63.3 points but disappointed in the Champion Chase at 2/9F coming home lame.
Thistlecrack won Novice Chases at Cheltenham and Newbury then stepped up to take the King George earning 82.2 points. Picked up an injury in the Cotswold Chase and didn't win after that.
2016 - Air Force Blue, Midterm, Minding, Royal Artillery (6/9)
Air Force Blue was odds on favourite for the 2000 Guineas but finished 12th out of 13. Had three more races for a best-placed seventh.
Midterm also drew a blank in three outings.
Minding won five races, got 237.7 points and was our 2016 Horse of the Season.
Royal Artillery won just once in four races, a Group 3 at Haydock worth 26.3
2015/16 - Douvan, Faugheen (8/9)
Douvan bossed the 2m novice chase division winning at Navan and Leopardstown early in the season before claiming the big prizes at Leopardstown, Cheltenham and Aintree for 144.2 points
Faugheen suffered a surprise defeat in the Morgiana Hurdle but bounced back to take 77.2 points for the Christmas Hurdle and Irish Champion before a ligament injury finished the season early,
2015 - Found (7/9)
Five second places but just one win, a Group Three at the Curragh, for 16.6 points.
2014/15 - Annie Power, Faugheen, More of That, Simonsig (7/9)
Annie Power re-appeared in the Mares Hurdle at the Festival but capsized at the last. She did win the Mares' Champion Hurdle at Punchestown for 26.1 points.
Faugheen picked up 130.4 points on the season for four wins. They came at Ascot, Kempton and both the Cheltenham and Punchestown Champion Hurdles.
Simonsig missed the season with injury.
2014 - Kingman (9/9)
Beaten in the 2000 Guineas but won the Irish version, the St James Palace Stakes, Sussex Stakes and Prix Jacques Le Marois earning 130.2 points (and Champion 3 year-old honours.)
2013/14 - Bobs Worth, Sprinter Sacre, The New One (8/8)
Bobs Worth's only win this season was in the Lexus for 28.4 points.
Sprinter Sacre flooped in the Desert Orchid Chase and was found to have an irregular heartbeat that ended his season.
The New One won the International Hurdle and the Aintree Hurdle for 53. points but was beaten at Kempton and in the Champion Hurdle.
2013 - Toronado (7/8)
Just the one win, in the Sussex Stakes, as Dawn Approach mopped up the big races.
2012/13 - Big Buck's and Sprinter Sacre (both 9/9)
Big Buck's won his season opener at Newbury as the 1/12F but picked up a season-ending injury.
Sprinter Sacre ruled the 2m division picking up 105.1 points winning the Tingle Creek, Victor Chandler, Champion Chase and then took the 2m 4f Melling Chase.
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2011 - Frankel (9/9)
Dominant. Won all four races that season, the 2000 Guineas, the St James Palace Stakes, Sussex Stakes and Queen Elizabeth II Stakes.
2009/10 - Big Buck's (9/9)
Completely ruled the division, winning four out of four including the Long Walk, World Hurdle and Liverpool Hurdle.
2008 - New Approach (8/10)
Edged out in the British and Irish 2000 Guineas by Henrythenavigator, gained compensation in the Derby and also too the Champions Stakes on both sides of the Irish Sea.
2007/8 - Kauto Star (9/10)
Edged out Exotic Dancer in the Betfair Chase then ran away with the King George and Ascot Chase before finishing seven lengths second in the Gold Cup behind the mighty Denman and being beaten by Our Vic in the Aintree Bowl (by a nose.)
2004 - American Post, Yeats (7/10)
American Post won the French 2000 Guineas as 11/4 on favourite but failed to make the frame on two further outings.
Yeats won the Leopardstown Derby Trial at long odds on but met with a setback a few days before the showpiece at Epsom and didn't reappear until the following May,
2003 - Hawk Wing (9/10)
Coasted to victory in the Lockinge on reappearance but finished lame in only subsequent race (the Queen Anne at Ascot) and was retired to stud.
2002/3 -Moscow Flyer (9/10)
Having taken last season's Arkle, Moscow Flyer was an obvious pick for honours. After unseating Barry Geraghty in the Tingle Creek it was wins all the way - at Leopardstown, Punchestown and in the Champion Chase.
2002 - Hawk Wing (10/10)
Second four times, including the 2000 Guineas and Derby, and only win was in the Eclipse.
2001/02 - Best Mate (9/10)
Started with second places at Ascot and Kempton behind Wahiba Sands and Florida Pearl respectively but ended the season with a first Gold Cup victory.
2001 - Golan (8/10)
Won the 2000 Guineas at 11/1 on reappearance but was denied by Galileo in the Derby and that horse and Morshdi in the Irish version. Took the Prix Niel in September en route to fourth place in the Arc.
2000/01 - Looks Like Trouble (8/10)
Just the one run this season (which was curtailed by foot and mouth), victory at Down Royal in the James Nicholson Wine Merchant Champion Chase by 15 lengths from Doran's Pride.
2000 - Dubai Millennium (6/10)
Ran just the once - sluicing up in the Prince of Wales Stakes.
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