Alan King salutes retiring ‘great’ Robert Thornton

Alan King has paid tribute to the retiring Robert Thornton, highlighting the 2008 Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle victory of Nenuphar Collonges as the ride that best showcased his talents.

The 37-year-old has been forced to call time on his career after suffering fractured vertebrae in a fall from Say When at Chepstow in April 2014.

For most of his career he operated as King’s stable jockey and the pair enjoyed a great run of success, winning the Champion Hurdle with Katchit, the Arkle and World Hurdle with My Way De Solzen and the Queen Mother Champion Chase with Voy Por Ustedes.