'They say it's the taking part - that's the biggest load of balls I've heard!'

Several turkeys have been spotted exiting the fridge at Lodge Hill Stables this morning, on their way to Friday's staff Christmas party, with a scheduled stop-off at the kitchen on the way. The signs are that the trainer may have helped himself to a mince pie or two, as well as part of the contents of a nice seasonal biscuit selection in the owners' room, and the walls of the office are lined with cards from well-wishers.

Never let it be said that the pursuit of excellence at the second most successful yard in the country (by prize-money won, fourth by number of winners, to be clear) gets in the way of festive spirit, although Dan Skelton's wife Grace occasionally begs to differ. She's no slouch herself, being the driving force behind the family's breeding arm, Alne Park Stud, but there are times when she would quite like her husband to be at home rather more often.

"If there were 25 hours in a day they'd work them all," she says, dragging Dan's brother Harry into the firing line as well, with no argument from Harry's wife, fellow jockey Bridget Andrews, who is not slow to voice her frustration.