Salute to a great writer - and a hugely promising rider

A goalless draw in the rain, Yellow Printer, Southlands Boy Blue, Vauxhall Walk, Tishan, Runaround, another birthday, the sad passing of William Trevor, Rachael Blackmore's 5lb claim, Benny Hill dominating the wall opposite the Tobacco Factory market in Bristol.

Benny's mural, part of the Upfest Urban Paint Festival, is massive. Seeing it for the first time, a Gatsby aficionado might wonder if it rivals Doctor TJ Eckleburg towering over the Valley of Ashes; probably not quite. I gaze up at him and return his familiar, cheeky salute. I arrived at school several years after his somewhat sudden departure but followed his career very closely.

His first audition at the old Windmill Theatre lasted a few seconds before a terse 'Next, please!' but soon he was writing scripts and appearing in sketches openly admired by leading comedians of the time, Bob Monkhouse among them. Benny liked a session at the roulette tables but had to go to the south of France to enjoy anonymity. Other forms of relaxation were on offer in Earl's Court, if you knew where to look.