John Francome: Help is there for jockeys with alcohol problems

Former riding great John Francome insists help is there for all jockeys, past and present, if they need it in the wake of the sad death of Pat Eddery.

Francome, speaking in his role as president of the Injured Jockeys Fund, went to see Eddery himself recently after hearing of his troubles.

The 11-times champion jockey had been battling alcoholism in recent years and his daughter Natasha wrote an emotional tribute yesterday revealing she had not seen him for five years after a spell in rehab failed.