David Keith Ranger rode for four seasons under National Hunt rules during the 1970s and had a couple of winners.
Rolyat spears to have been his only ride of the season when finishing unplaced in the Stayers’ Handicap Hurdle at Wincanton on November 28, 1974, but the eight-year-old had already proved his worth by running up a hat-trick of wins in August for his trainer Toby Balding.
It was not until May 7, 1977 that David rode a winner, and then it was by the narrowest of margins. It came at Worcester in the Grimley Opportunity Selling Handicap Hurdle when forcing Miss Gossip up on the line to beat Parachute Pine by a short head. David had ridden the four-year-old in her four previous starts that season, managing one third place.
His second and final winner caused something of an upset. At Fontwell Park on September 1, 1977 he partnered the 11-year-old Frodo, trained like Miss Gossip by Toby Balding, in a match for the Arundel Handicap Chase. His rival was the eight-year-old Mister Know All, carrying 20lb more and partnered by the good American amateur George Sloan, who would go on to win his only amateur riders’ title later in the season. Mister Know All was sent off the 7/2 on favourite. David took Frodo into the lead from the start and, although passed between the last two fences, they came again to lead at the last and went on to win by two and a half lengths.
Despite that success, David had few further opportunities, his last ride coming at Plumpton on April 11, 1978, when Fools Rush In finished fourth in the Uckfield Selling Hurdle.