I returned to the ancient kingdom of Reach yesterday and was in good spirits following the sweeping success at our local elections.

After driving for several miles down a single track farm road alongside tranquil meandering rivers and spring’s finest fenland landscape, I finally arrived at The Dyke’s End.

I was joined by fellow hack John Gaskell and Liza Moore, who runs a quality dating agency called Tempting Fate and is one of my clients.

It was so fabulous to sprawl out on the thoughtfully placed rugs under a shaded tree and to feel the sun’s warm rays beating down on my happy face. Liza thought the village was so picturesque that we could have been on a film set in Midsomer Murders.

At one stage we talked about North Norfolk and our love of Burnham Thorpe, birthplace of Lord Nelson, a hero of mine, not only for his incredible naval achievements, but because of his undying true love for Lady Hamilton.

After I returned home I received an email from John with a tip-off for the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket today. There was a horse running called Horatio Nelson at 10-1 and it stood a good chance, he thought I should know.

I do enjoy a flutter from time to time and it seemed too good to ignore, especially as I am spending the weekend finding my own sea legs on an exhilerating RYA sailing course at Mepal.

Unfortunately, Nelson’s success at the Battle of Trafalgar did not repeat itself, the horse came nowhere and I lost a tenner. But I was proud to show my allegiance to Lord Nelson.

Incidentally, I picked an unknown horse last year at Newmarket simply because I liked the name and the odds of 16-1 (there’s no fun in backing a favourite). It came in first and it’s name was Climate Change, another favourite topic of mine!