'He was extraordinary, an inspiration' - Francome leads tributes to Robert Alner

John Francome led tributes to Robert Alner, who has died at the age of 76, describing the Gold Cup-winning trainer as an inspiration.

Alner rode alongside the seven-time champion jockey during a successful spell as an amateur rider and his biggest success in the saddle came when winning the 1970 National Hunt Chase aboard Domason.

He took out his training licence in 1993 and won a number of big prizes before being paralysed in a car accident in 2007, after which he operated under a joint licence with his wife Sally until 2010.

"He was an extraordinary human being," said Francome. "He was a great trainer and one of the top ten riders I've ever seen in any sphere. He was an absolute inspiration."

"I never once heard him complain from the day of his accident. All he ever said was that he'd lived his life. He was an amazing bloke. Everybody who dealt with him in the hospitals absolutely loved him."

John Francome: 'I never once heard Robert complain from the day of his accident'Credit: David Dew

Alner played an important part in the career of leading jump jockey Daryl Jacob, who joined the yard on arrival from Ireland and described his mentor as a wonderful man and fantastic horseman.

The trainer provided Jacob with a breakthrough Grade 1 success aboard The Listener in the 2006 Lexus Chase before he added top-level victories in the John Durkan and the Irish Hennessy.

Jacob said: “I’ve always called Robert 'the Boss' as he looked after me from day one when I came over from Ireland. He’s nurtured my career to the stage where I am now.

“I had two years point-to-pointing with [Alner's wife] Sally and every decision I made and every job I went through has involved consultation with Robert. He’s easily been one of the biggest influences on my career.

“He was a wonderful man, very generous, good fun and kind. He was kind to ride for too. If you made a mistake it was never blown up in your face there and then – he would always watch the replays with you and point out what you’d done wrong in a gentle and subtle way.

“He was a very good teacher and a fantastic horseman who loved to see his horses jumping well into their races. He’s provided me with invaluable experience by learning through him and he was a very good father to me as he brought me up to be a good human being.

“He was the first man to give me a big opportunity riding Grade 1s and we had some brilliant days at the top level with The Listener.”

Daryl Jacob: regarded Robert Alner as a mentor and father figureCredit: Alan Crowhurst

As racing correspondent for the Mail On Sunday, Jonathan Powell closely followed Alner's exploits and the pair became good friends.

"Racing has lost the bravest of the brave," he said. "Those of us who visited him regularly can bear witness to an extraordinarily uplifting experience. We would arrive feeling apprehensive and leave hours later marvelling at the toughness of the human spirit.

"While Robert could barely move his limbs, his eyes were wonderfully alive with a challenging directness. They were bright and defiant.

"What you saw was an essay in resilience with not a trace of self pity at the loss of independence, and to the end he loved a saucy story. He was such an inspiration to his family, friends, doctors and nurses. He had a heart of oak but the legend lives on. What a man."