The Derby start is down the road but binoculars are fixed on the cat for now

Epsom is now my local racecourse. It's very local indeed. In February we moved to a house three miles from the start of the Investec Derby. Regrettably, this has brought nothing but bad luck to Epsom and its sporting jewel.

The cycle ride from Ashtead to the track and back makes for a perfect short exercise burst. The most enjoyable route takes in the climb up Chalk Lane, past the Amato pub, home to that famous wishing well, and then The Durdans racing stables, within whose grounds lie the graves of four now very former Derby winners, including Amato himself.

Once at the top of Chalk Lane – I'm still needing to drop down to a low gear for the steepest bits – the racecourse opens out in front of you. The first bit of land you reach is where the media normally park for the two days of the Derby festival. Not this year, sadly, or certainly not on June 5 and 6 anyway.