RACEHORSE owners are always keen to promote their prized assets.

But we've never heard of them phoning punters one at a time to tout their latest winners - at least, not until now.

That's possibly what was happening though, when Diary reader Richard Johns ended up having a chat with Terry Cooper - owner of York favourite and multiple victor Sergeant Cecil.

Mr Johns, who is not unknown to have the occasional flutter, returned home one day last week and dialled 1471, to find a number he didn't recognise, so decided to return the call.

We'll let him take up the story "I phoned the number and inquired about who it was, and he said it was probably that his wife trying to phone his daughter at university in York, but who had got a digit wrong.

"I asked where he was, and he said Blandford, in Dorset.

"He asked where I was, and I said I was in York, and he said Are you a racing man?' "I thought he was going to give me a tip, then he said he had a horse that was very successful, called Sergeant Cecil."

The seven-year-old has an almost flawless record at York. In his four races here, he has recorded three first-place finishes and one second-place.

His greatest moment on Knavesmire came in August, 2005, when he won the totesport Ebor, and this year he added the Doncaster Cup Group 2, and Lonsdale Cup Group 2.

Sergeant Cecil will be back in York again next year, so we await with intrigue to see whether Mr Cooper will be ringing more of the city's punters.

As for Mr Johns - he knows where his money will be when the racing season resumes again.

Whether you like it or not, the festive season is getting into full swing - and thoughts will inevitably be turning to buying a Christmas tree.

Where better, the Diary wonders, than your very own spruce, pine or fir grown by Government experts at the Forestry Commission?

Freshly-cut Norway spruces, Lodgepole pines and Nordmann firs from North Yorkshire's own Dalby Forest, near Pickering, will go on sale from Friday, December 1. The commission looks after the 8,600-acre forest.

Just pop round to the forest's visitor centre from 10am to 4pm until Wednesday, December 20, to get yours.