Mark Coton reflects on the life of a true one-off

OBITUARY
Mark Coton
Mercy Rimell, who died on July 6, aged 98, was a successful trainer in her own right, winning the Champion Hurdle with Gaye Brief in 1983. But she will be best remembered as one half of one of the great racing partnerships of the twentieth century, alongside husband Fred, and for a formidable personal manner which at times made Margaret Thatcher seem like Claire Rayner.
The entry list of racing’s bloody difficult characters is a long and distinguished one, and Mrs Rimell can be found at the top of the long handicap,...