'The lights went out, I carried on commentating, but no-one could hear me'

What advice would you give your ten-year-old self?
This would have been in 1986, so I would have told myself to scrape together enough money over the next ten years to buy some property in London. Or back Maori Venture to win the Grand National next spring.

What is your earliest racing memory?
Being at Shergar’s Derby. I was five and perched on my dad's shoulders at the two-furlong pole, where we watched him flash by us miles ahead of the chasing pack. I can remember it clearly to this day.

Who has been the greatest influence on your career?
When I was training to be a commentator, the three Hs – Messrs Holt, Hunt and Hoiles [Simon, John and Richard] were all very helpful with advice. Also during my time learning how to present, producers Dermot Cumiskey and Lee Irvine-Scott have guided me in the right direction a few times.