Racing Diary

In Spain, they call Real Madrid's Steve McManaman "The Postman" - because he always delivers a pass. But it appears the ex-Liverpool star, who turned his back on a Spice Boy life on Merseyside for the sun and £63,000 a week, could be on the verge of joining the rest of today's modern world on e-mail.

Good luck for Boxing Day to Brian Clifford, who, as clerk of the course at Kempton, is in charge of proceedings next Wednesday for the track's festive showcase, the King George VI Chase. But don't be puzzled if you hear people calling him "Barney". His nickname dates back to when he was a jumps jockey and a horse in the stables where Clifford was based shared his christian name. No complaints from Clifford, though. At least the name chosen for him to avoid a mix-up between the two ensured that he avoided being gelded.

Hats off to Ascot racecourse, which has become a limited company-so the board members can borrow money towards the proposed £100 million grandstand refurbishment without having to take personal liability for the overdraft.
Such decisions will now partly be in the hands of new non-executive director Simon Murray. Let's hope he's a useful addition to the management team and can draw, to the benefit of the Queen who owns Ascot, on past business triumphs such as his time as major projects and investments director of that much praised company Railtrack.

A major worry for anyone attending Kempton on Boxing Day? Queues for the bathroom, of course. Currently well clear in the list for the longest queue in 2001 is Sandown Park, with a near 30ft wait recorded back in April on Whitbread Gold Cup Day. But a bumper crowd the day after Christmas Day could yet see Kempton pip its sister track just before the year's end. You wouldn't bet against it - even in the Premier Enclosure.

Queues to buy CDs will be getting longer and longer by the day this week in the countdown to Christmas. But don't worry if you are short of time. Just trust the post and log on instead to www.equivision.net so you can order a copy of "Horses of the Wind", this year's must-have gift. A full 50 minutes of "original music voices of stallions, mares and foals", plus, rather ominously with the title in mind, "sounds of nature".

At Kempton Park on Boxing Day, you should really be able to take the weight off your feet. For the racecourse has lent its name to a tribute sofa. "The Kempton" is a Laura Ashley leather number with "high tensile zig zag" according to the manufacturers. The alternative - though coil sprung - is "The Sandown" sofa, also leather. A lovely pair they make, too.