I don’t want you getting the impression that I fritter away my life on a golf course, but when I was asked to join a Knights vs Commoners/Chairmen match at Sunningdale last week, I couldn’t resist, even though I’m injured. No better place to find out what’s going on in the racing world than shooting the breeze during 18 holes at ‘the dale’.

The Knights were led by Sir A.P. McCoy, who looks a bit like Bryson DeChambeau when he lines up to hit the ball, but not so much afterwards. His partner was Sir Francis Brooke, the King’s man at Ascot.

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‘So you’re not playing, so you’re not?’ A.P. asked. Or something like that. ‘Lateral epicondylitis,’ I replied, shaking my head gravely. I knew he’d pour scorn on me if I let slip this was no more than tennis elbow. We’re talking about a man who holds the record in a cryotherapy chamber: minus 150°C while recovering from a broken back. ‘It’s all in the head,’ he said dismissively.

The Knights, who looked as fit as whippets, faced strong opposition, although there was a slight hiatus before the match because Mike Wainwright, chairman of Cheltenham racecourse, had left his clubs at a driving range – half an hour away. ‘That’s........

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