Cheltenham Diary Marcus Armytage

Those that believe in nominative determinism will find out whether it applies to horses today when Champ runs in the Ballymore Hurdle (1.30).

The hypothesis is that people gravitate to areas of work which fit their name. Famous examples include a book on polar exploration by Daniel Snowman and the article on urology by Splatt and Weedon. Champ

(above) has a lot to live up to but so far so good – he looks like being favourite. There was a horse called The Second Coming entered for the bumper, but connections clearly saw the light.

Ian Renton, the course’s chief executive, who seems outwardly implacable, had a momentary panic recently when he looked at the weather forecast for Cheltenham this week on the BBC’S weather app.

The best means of transport for the coming

days, the app suggested, was Noah and the Ark. After breaking out into a sweat he took a double take and realised he was looking at Cheltenham, Pennsylvania.

Those coming to Cheltenham in a westerly direction along the A40 will notice that travelling wood carver, Jacob Spore has set up home (his caravan) at Sherbourne cross-roads.

His speciality is to use his chainsaw – “52 chisels connected to a motor” he says – to carve fairy houses and animals from beech, larch, sycamore and yew.

While there may be a bit of the new-age artist about Spore, 27, who was brought up on the road with his parents and moves around the area, there is nothing wrong with his marketing strategy; set up shop on the main road to Cheltenham during the Festival. Winning punters returning to London know where to stop.