Tony McCoy: Farewell to Dr Michael Turner, the man who saved us from ourselves

The death of Richard Davis at Southwell in 1996 was a turning point. All racecourses became equipped with ambulances and doctors specifically trained in the injuries they were likely to encounter on the racecourse. We can expect the same treatment if we fall at Cheltenham during the Festival or Fontwell on a Friday.

When he started, it had not been long since the role of racecourse doctor was virtually honorary and seen as a good job and a free lunch for a retired GP. Now there are nearly 250 fully trained racecourse medical officers who are retrained every three years.

Improving the standard of helmets and body protectors has also been an obsession for him so, although it is still an inherently dangerous profession, it is much safer than it was on his arrival; he has ensured we are fit and healthy, riding in the safest equipment and with the best medical support if we get injured.

Also near the top of the list of his achievements was his introduction of stringent concussion protocol in 2004, 10 years ahead of the Rugby Football Union, and he will now use his experience to set up the National Concussive Head Injury Centre in London which, hopefully, will also have further benefits for jockeys.

When the BHA get a new man for the job, it is essential he has a great interest in the sport and in us. That is half the battle and the new chief medical officer should not regard it as just a job. He has some big boots to fill.

Taquin De Seuil (1.30) is the reason I am at Haydock on Saturday and I am hoping he will be hard to beat in the two-mile-five-furlong novice chase. Certainly, if he wants to go to the Cheltenham Festival, he needs to be winning. He will not mind the ground or the track so neither of those will be excuses. Gevrey Chambertin, winner of a fixed brush race at Haydock last time, gets 7lb from us and is a danger and I rode Ofaolains Boy on his chasing debut and he will improve.

Champagne Rian (12.20) looks to have as good a chance as any in a handicap hurdle but Act of Kalanisi (2.40), winner of his last two and a soft-ground lover, looks like he has a tough job on his hands to beat both the former smart novice Melodic Rendezvous and Ptit Zig in the Champion Hurdle Trial.

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Tony McCoy: Farewell to Dr Michael Turner, the man who saved us from ourselves