Diary Marcus Armytage

The following article appeared in the Daily Telegraph on Tuesday:

Tom's identity crisis at Newmarket sales

'Tom Dascombe is one of Lambourn's up-and-coming trainers and, on Saturday, he sent out his first listed winner when the progressive two-year-old filly Max One Two Three won the Rockingham Stakes at York. Things are going well.

Last week, he was at Tattersalls in Newmarket, trying to stock up with next year's two-year-olds.

Before he went, he was asked, because of the postal strike, to take some letters and deliver them to a chap he had never met - and he was happy to oblige. When he got to the sales complex, it was blowing a gale and pouring with rain. He put in a call to the potential recipient of the mail. " Ah, to be sure" replied the man, " I'll be there in half an hour. You'll know who I am because I'll be the fella in a jacket and cap".

Given the weather, the place and the unofficial uniform of the sales ring, it's a little like saying to someone they'll recognise you at Royal Ascot because you'll be the one wearing a top hat and tails'.