'I don't have anything at all to do with virtual racing,' screams John McCririck, the veins in his neck bulging, his puffy, ring-laden index finger jabbing forward. 'Where did you get that from? You've done a shocking job researching this interview. What have I got to do with virtual racing? I've never promoted virtual racing. If punters want to do it it's up to them, but I'd never bet on it because the margins are so bad!'

Ten minutes into an interview in the press box at Brighton Races, and 'Big Mac' is in the sort of full, bullying flow that usually intimidates journalists who don't know their sports gambling.