'There was only one Arkle' - the legend's work-rider takes Ted Walsh to task

I was astonished to read Ted Walsh say recently that Flyingbolt was a better horse than Arkle, he obviously did not know the two horses as well as I did.

In The Big Read of November 15, Ted said: "Flyingbolt was the greatest National Hunt horse I ever saw. I've never seen a horse since or before who would have beaten him. He never took on Arkle because they were in the same yard, but I have no doubt he would have eaten Arkle."

I was privileged to work for Mr Dreaper for 15 years during the heady days of Arkle and Flyingbolt and I used to ride Arkle out every day for three years. I turned 90 the other day, but I remember riding Arkle as though it were yesterday. You would have to stop him galloping yourself, as he would have kept going forever.