I broke into a skip last week as I walked up the steps of Carlton House Terrace towards the Turf Club, under the watchful eye of Frederick, Duke of York, up on his plinth. I have a habit of skipping and scrunching up my nose with my knuckles when I’m very happy; apparently, it’s quite an alarming sight for people walking towards me. But I was just bursting with bonhomie, and my feet were full of it.

My day had got off to a good start at Oxford railway station. A bloke who wasn’t, shall we say, dressed for lunch at the Turf, dropped his ticket as he walked along the platform. And everyone, except one woman and I, looked the other way. I nodded to her as if to say ‘I’ve got this’, and went in pursuit with the errant ticket. He was so incredibly grateful, he filled my heart with joy. That tiny, effortless act had reaped such a reward.

If Maltese Cross wins, Waud will be the first Englishman to outright own a Derby winner for over a decade

If Maltese Cross wins, Waud will be the first Englishman to outright own a Derby winner for over a decade

In truth, however, I was already on top form, because I was going to have lunch with Nigel Rich, an ex-Hong Kong taipan, and the film producer George Waud, who is soon going to be a horse-racing grandee. And where better to meet than the Turf Club, the main attraction of which is Mr Paine, the restaurant manager? I just don’t see enough of Mr Paine and wish I could start every day having breakfast with him, such is his sunny disposition. He’s one of........

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