As the National Hunt season nears top gear, the last few days have served up several performances of note, but the logical starting point this week is the passing of two of Irish jump racing’s most iconic figures.

Firstly, the legendary amateur rider and trainer Francis Flood, who died last Tuesday at the age of 86. One of the most enduring figures in Irish jump racing, Flood was unquestionably one of the greatest amateur jockeys produced by this country.

In all, he was crowned champion amateur on seven occasions between 1957 and 1966. As a trainer Flood also scaled the heights and he supplied two moments that will live on forever more in racing folklore. Firstly, there was Glencaraig Lady’s 1972 Cheltenham Gold Cup triumph under Frank Berry, while 12 years on there was a truly unforgettable Arkle Chase duel between Flood’s Bobsline and the Gordon Richards-trained Noddys Ride.

The pair went toe-to-toe along from home and served up the most enthralling spectacle before Bobsline eventually carried the day. As Dermot Weld eloquently summed up last Tuesday: “I rode with him and for him and he was both an outstanding horseman and a thorough gentleman.”

Last Friday, news emerged that Jessica Harrington’s brilliant two-mile chaser Moscow Flyer had passed on at the age of 22. A triple Cheltenham Festival winner, this gelding was unquestionably one of the finest chasers to emerge from this country in the last 50 years.

Quite remarkably for a horse of his ability, Moscow Flyer couldn’t win a bumper, but once he was sent jumping he really came into his own and as a two-mile chaser he was beyond compare.

Indeed, he amassed an incredible record in his first four seasons over fences, when he won 19 times with his only defeats coming when he either unseated or fell as a result of one of his occasional lapses in concentration. As an 11-year-old he achieved the remarkable feat of winning back his Champion Chase crown at Cheltenham, but for many the highlight of his career would be his 2004 Tingle Creek Chase triumph at Sandown, where he defeated old foe Azertyuiop and a peak-form Well Chief.

PUNCHESTOWN

On the racing front perhaps the most taking effort of the week came at Punchestown last Saturday, where Identity Thief made his eagerly awaited debut over fences.

A top-notch two-mile hurdler, this Henry de Bromhead-trained gelding produced a superb round of jumping en route to an ultra smooth triumph.

In truth, Identity Thief faced the most straightforward tasks in terms of the opposition he was facing, but this display still bore all the hallmarks of one that will go a long way over fences.

On the same card, Noel Meade’s Disko was a commanding winner of a two-and-a-half-mile beginners chase. This talented grey has long been held in the very highest regard by his trainer and expect him to hold his own in quality company throughout the winter.

Appropriately, the last group race of the season in Ireland went to Dermot Weld last weekend, as Making Light defeated the colts in the Killavullan Stakes.

This filly looked well above average when winning her maiden at Limerick recently, and she confirmed that promise to look like a filly that can hold her own in good company next year.

Weld and jockey Pat Smullen also have a lot to look forward to with Titus, who made a winning debut in a traditionally interesting two-year-old colts maiden over a mile. His appearance in a classic trial next spring will be an eagerly awaited one.

Another fine prospect for 2017 is White Satin Dancer, who absolutely bolted up in the fillies maiden for the soon to retire David Wachman. Wheverever this filly ends up next year, she can be relied upon to make an impact at a high level.