Flood's passing conjured up those half-crown days

Francis Flood, who died during the week at the age of 86, has received many fine tributes for his achievements as a trainer and amateur rider. Most of all he will be remembered as a thorough gentleman by all those who knew him.

This correspondent was in short trousers when he first met the then amateur rider who was seven times champion. Going racing with one or both of my parents often involved speaking to Mr F Flood, who would inquire whether my mother was attending the meeting. And if the answer was yes, the advice given was often “tell her to have her half-crown on the one I ride in the last.”

Even for a youngster It didn’t take long to realise Francis was delivering good advice, and even if my mother wasn’t present it might be wise and profitable to pretend she was. Whether Paddy Sleator, with whom he soldiered for many years as stable amateur, would have approved is another matter.