I paid my first ever visit to the Grand National meeting yesterday.
I hold my hands up now and say I'm a hopeless hyprocrite because I don't like the event (anything where animals being used for entertainment are injured, maimed or killed as a result is indefensible in my book).
But I was very kindly invited to lunch in a box at the course and couldn't in the end resist accepting.
I hasten to add I didn't bet on any of the races.
It was rather nice to see how the other half live though. It was all chilled wine, four course lunch and a prime view of the finishing post.
And we were next to what I was reliably informed was Stevie Gerrard's box.
There was not sign of that Steve, but we did see Steve McnManaman on the balcony watching the racing.
It was an experience getting there too. There were men in pink ties carrying glasses of wine around the tunnels at Moorfields station, and a woman on the platform with a megaphone shouting "get on this train for Aintree. THIS TRAIN!".
At the other end we were met by the boys in blue, in yellow, and a security frisk, although you could see exactly what some of the women had on them without having to resort to airport-style checks!
And that was only Thursday.
I missed the very unique fashion parade that is Ladies Day in L9.
Someone rather cruel I know suggested you'd be able to see Aintree from space today, glowing orange!
At least the weather warmed up for the more scantily clad.
