I have been fortunate in being involved with some very decent horses over the years; winning some high profile races and enjoying many successful days on the racetrack. However, the victory of Dodgybingo, in last Friday night’s Nursery at Dundalk was particularly poignant as the horse was named after a “game” invented by my late nephew, John.

Growing up in Northern Ireland, the son of a teacher who also did a bit of farming, I had very little contact with horses, aside from an occasional trip to the local Downpatrick races. I would also have been a regular attender at meetings such as the Grand National at Fairyhouse.