Forty years on Golden Cygnet remains the epitome of unfulfilled potential

There has always been an enigmatic quality to Edward O'Grady, those notably piercing eyes redolent of his keen intelligence.

When relaxed and on form O'Grady is exceptional company, amusing, informative and incisive. Literally a fount of wisdom. Yet in some way that is hard to pin down; there has always been a touch of wistful reflectiveness about him.

And this was long before the emotional earthquake of his wife of 18 years, Maria, being killed a few months ago in what should have been a routinely happy day's hunting on a late November Saturday afternoon.