Oh, the self-importance of fading stars. Never mind, they will be black holes one day.

But you've got to have money for comfort, which obviously doesn't matter as much when you're young, but even so. I always like to bloody eat well and be warm. Have a drink when I want it.

In most betting shops you will see three windows marked 'Bet Here', but only one window with the legend 'Pay Out'.

I don't remember ever being full of dislike and hatred for people, like some kids I've come across now.

I have stood in a bar in Lambourn and been offered, in the space of five minutes, a poached salmon, a leg of a horse, a free trip to Chantilly, marriage, a large unsolicited loan, ten tips for a ten-horse race, two second-hand cars, a fight, and the copyright to a dying jockey's life story.

Although I have to admit I have despised a couple of people simply because they have never had a job in their lives.

It's one thing to ask your bank manager for an overdraft to buy 500 begonias for the borders in Haslemere, but quite another to seek financial succour to avail oneself of the 5-2 they're offering on lie de Bourbon for the St Leger.