For a fleeting moment I felt like Ray Mears.

Here was I, in the middle of some Chantilly woods, offering advice to David Williams of Ladbrokes on how to alleviate the stomach cramps he had been struck down with.

He was awash with sweat and feeling light-headed, but even in such a state of weakness refused to use the small clearing I had created in the foliage. It's a good job. Kasbah Bliss was cantering behind us.

Ah yes, Cheltenham is here again which means the Ladbrokes World Hurdle Dinner. Chantilly in 2009, my first visit to France since the pepper spray incident of New Year's Eve 2006. There was no chance of being mistaken for a rioting Algerian student this time though. I wore a tie.

The meal was splendid. Billed as a four-courser, imagine my excitement when a "special" starter arrived before the main event.

It was small, served in an egg cup and mainly liquid in texture. I was just about to down it on one and chink cups with the diner next to me when I noticed Francois Doumen using a small spoon to eat his,

I followed suit and found every spoonful to be intriguing with a fishy taste. I liked it but will never be able to order it again as I have no idea what it was.

Two deer appeared at the window to watch me hoover a lamb and risotto dish with relish. They seemed impressed.

The waitress at breakfast wasn't when Her Majesty's Press Corp desperately tried to get a fresh tray of scrambled eggs.

She didn't speak any English and even a desperate shriek of "Oeuf" and circling an index finger fervently, failed to get the message across,.

Some people won't even meet you halfway.

Doumen did - then took us around his yard. 30 horses are based in Chantilly, the rest in a satellite yard at Normandie.

It was on the climb to see Kasbas Bliss at rest that I realised my favourite black loafers had to go. There is a hole in the sole which was taking in water. Every step forward threatened a fungal infection.

If I couldn't find the French for scrambled eggs, cobblers was a 100-1 shot so I had to suffer.

Kasbah Bliss has strengthened up from last year and if the ground isn't desperate come March 12, he looks the one to beat in the Ladbrokes World Hurdle.

But there's a lot of water to flow under the bridge - and through the shoe - before then.