Well, not long now. I've been doing some real sprinting work this week and if I've suitably impressed Tim Etherington, my trainer, he'll start looking out for a race in which to enter me.

Frankly, I can't wait. If all goes to plan I'll be racing before the end of the month.

I don't know where I'll be racing or when but as soon as I find out, either myself or these excellent Evening Press sports pages will let you know.

Of course, whether I win or not will be a different matter, but we have received a lucky omen this week. You see, the only talking horse in the world other than me, namely Mr Ed, won the 4.10 race at Salisbury on Wednesday.

He's a bit older than me and therefore has been around a bit longer but, boy, did he get a shock when I phoned him up to congratulate him. He simply wouldn't believe that it was a horse he was talking to.

"Geddaway," he told me, "horses can't talk. What do you think I am, an idiot?"

When he finally came round and believed that I wasn't a hoaxer looking for tips, he was actually a friendly fellow.

Indeed, after a little bit of small talk, I managed to coax a bit of advice out of him. I suppose we'll soon see if it all pays off.

Anyway, best go. After speaking to Mr Ed I somehow got this great idea for a television programme and I'm off to see the head of CBBC.

Regards,

Evening Press.

Updated: 15:54 Friday, August 17, 2001