THOSE of you who know me personally will be aware that for six decades – and counting – I have been a fan of Manchester City. In the days when we had posters on the wall of favourite players, and bought the magazine Shoot weekly, I had an image of Frannie Lee hanging above my bed, unaware that he would later become a successful trainer.

On what was a weekend to remember on the sporting front, only the victory for Shane Lowry in the Irish Open could cap a derby win for Manchester City against United in the hierarchy of moments of happiness for me, while the number of racing victories that will be recalled in years to come seemed to be happening every few minutes.