He was the epitome of what a horseman should want to be

JT should be remembered as the brilliant rider that he was as his ride on Rith Dubh to win the National Hunt four-mile chase at Cheltenham in 2002 was as good as I have ever seen or will ever see.

He was the epitome of what a horseman should want to be as he was very bright, tactically astute and very strong in the saddle. He also had the greatest knowledge of a horse which greatly helped when it came to tactics in a race.

It’s very sad the way that fate conspired against him and I still recall the details of that horrible day at Cheltenham in 2013 after his fall, because 24 hours later I just did not want to be there at all.