1800: That's it then. Had a great four days but now all there is to look forward to is the evening meal. I will write down tonight's order as last night I was expecting to be served a Lamb Henry only for a Sea Bass to arrive. Computer feels warm so now is the time to switch off.

1755: Two of the stairway standers have started heavy petting outside the press room. It's surely too cold for that sort of thing.

1750: Just done the final two videos. We have had feedback to say that Will Hayler and myself look like Little And Large on screen. We can't work out which of us is Sid. He must have let himself go.

1730: Phone working again but no winner in the County Hurdle. Should have gone home when Prince Charles did.

1720: Network busy on the mobile phone. I am cut adrift of the outside world.

1715: My campaign against stairway standers has got a voiciferous supporter. An irrate racegoer was bemused by their actions and let rip with a volley of advice for them. Would have applauded but his language was a tad industrial.

1710: Hope I didn't get Derek Thompson's hopes up re Bullseye as the gig has apparently been given to Dave Spikey. Must have been a tough call.

1700: Think I was right about the Countess of Wessex advising Prince Charles. He has also travelled here in a Range Rover. Looks like he may be leaving early. Must not have had an exacta in the County Hurdle.

1630: Who do you like more, Paul Nicholls or Richard Johnson? Paul gave us Andreas as his best of the meeting in the next race, Richard had the same to say about Green Tango. I'm siding with Paul. He's the bigger of the two.

1620: The bookmakers reps are smiling again. Latest press release suggests they made nearly £70 million on Tuesday and Wednesday. I didn't.

1615: The bookmakers reps are no longer smiling. Apparently the Irish one-two-three in the Gold Cup has hauled the punters back from the canvas. Still down myself and the referee has counted to eight.

1600: Not the biggest fan of the Foxhunter Chase. Watched a few of them in the Cavern Bar here but sadly that is no more. Don't think the Beatles ever played there either.

1555: Don't know if they are still betting on the new host for Bullseye but Derek Thompson has just done his chances no harm. With a mere wave of the hands he has whipped the crowd in the Centaur into a frenzy. Don't think Jim Bowen could have done it.

1540: Confirmation I have not won the JCB press prize. Didn't think I would.

1535: One-two-three for Ireland - and on St Patrick's day too. Could still end up with a Guinness hat.

1530: There must be a spelling mistake in the racecard given the number that were tossed in the air as War Of Attrition came up the hill. Seemed a popular win.

1515: totesport Gold Cup time. L'ami and Cornish Rebel against the field my call. Sadly now need one of them to win rather than want it.

1505: James Whittaker's job is safe. I didn't realise Prince Charles and his good lady wife were here until they popped up on the big screen. Think the Countess of Wessex may have tipped them off on how to sneak in.

1500: The stairway standers are back and seem to have brought friends too. I am beginning to sense they have an overall co-ordinator who ensures maximum disruption is caused by their hobby.

1450: Unless Nicky Henderson won yesterday's Guinness Award he won't be getting his hands on one this year.

1345: Off out and about for the first two now. If Nicky Henderson has the first two winners I will be very happy and nominating him as a, b and c for today's Guinness Awards.

1340: Will Hayler is furious over the each-way terms in the ring for the opener. Off-course it is 1/4 1-2-3-4, on-course some are going 1/5 1-2-3. It doesn't seem right.

1335: Graham Cunningham from the Evening Standard has just been on TV holding the Gold Cup. Hope he had permission as they seem to have brought in bigger stewards today.

1330: I mentioned the recorder club yesterday and was bombarded with emails. Afsoun in the Triumph has attracted none. Backing him anyway. Hope he can handle the sneet.

1320: It is busier today. Tried to go and see Mike and the jazz band in the Centaur but had to turn around. They are here though, must be tiring now.

1315: Lester Piggott is on the Guinness Awards stage. Convinced I didn't nominate him yesterday.

1310: News reaches me from Leeds that there were no casualties during the kitchen spillage. It is a huge relief and also shows the fine line we all walk every day.

1300: Can't believe it is an hour to the first race already. Now realise I have spent too long looking at men in kilts and worrying about dandruff. Afsoun will win the JCB Triumph won't he?

1245: Switched off the mobile in case of kitchen carnage at base camp. Haven't walked the track again. Do the people who do go round the full circuit? If I set off now it would delay the start of the Triumph Hurdle. JCB wouldn't be happy and they are one of my key allies today.

1240: News reaches me of a spillage in the kitchen of the head office in Leeds. Very slippery by all accounts. Can only hope and pray none of my friends have done a Barbara Collier and hit the deck. Surely I can't be recalled to base now?

1230: The school band has gone. Must be revision time. Their replacements are a more seasoned bunch. Their costumes make them look like a cross between the cast of Zulu and master butchers. I like it.

1215: If Carl Llewellyn felt I needed a hat I dread to think what he made of the bagpipers in the parade ring. They were wearing kilts. There is a strong wind rushing in from Baltics too.

1130: Sneet seems to have cleared. May go and track down Carl Llewellyn to ask why I need a hat.

1125: I'm not going to buy a hat. Don't think the editor would sign off the expense form and in any case I can't carry off tweed. Only other option is one that looks like a big pint of Guinness. Even I have limits.

1110: Carl Llewellyn has told me I should wear a hat. Not sure how to take that. I could be developing a dandruff complex.

1050: Sneet doesn't exist but should. It also sticks to my coat and gives the distinct impression that one of Mother Nature's cruelest tricks now suffers from dandruff.

1020: As an impatient motorist I've never been a fan of JCBs or the songs they inspire. However they are sponsoring a press tipping competition today and this could be my last chance of filling the car with petrol. If I fail there may be a Meatloaf lookalike on the M42 with a hand written sign for Wakefield on Saturday morning.

1000: Thankfully the warning last night that I should expect a couple of inches this morning was wayward. There was no snow. Bit in the air now. I'd describe it as sneet although I'm not sure that exists. The flakes lack the surface area of snow and aren't as hard on the skin as sleet. Going off to track down John Kettley to see if sneet exists.

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