He claims he was never much of a 'Wild Thing' and departed before The Troggs became household names, subsequently to be dubbed 'the first British punk band'.

To reflect on his days as a "third-string" drummer would be missing a beat, he says.

Richard Hannon is embarrassed. "Yeah, 'course I am," he admits in his Wiltshire burr.

"Don't start bringing all that up. All those things I did in my younger days, that's years ago," he barks.

"Not worth talking about, because you've moved into a different era. Like Mick; everyone keeps saying he was a good footballer, but he's a good trainer now," he adds of his good friend, the former Southampton and England international, Mick Channon.

Hannon says he's more likely to bump into Elvis than Reg Presley, frontman for the iconic Sixties band.

"I don't see any of them. I wouldn't even know them if they walked into the pub. It was a different life."

He wants to give the subject its marching orders, but confesses: "I put the drum kit in the garage and then sold it to the blacksmith years ago. It was always going to be racing. I was always going to take after my old man.

"As soon as they start travelling, I didn't want to be in. I didn't like it very much - rotten hours, especially when your old man would kick you out of bed at six o'clock in the morning after getting home at three!"

Forty-odd years on, the twice champion Flat trainer of three 2,000 Guineas winners is still keeping time with the best of his chosen profession.

He saddles warm favourite Paco Boy (2.40) in the Group 1 Lockinge Stakes at Newbury tomorrow, but cannot understand why the horse still has his critics.

The four-year-old will attempt to silence the doubters who suggest that a mile stretches his stamina, despite scoring over the trip at Sandown last time.

A winner at the top level over seven furlongs in France last season, Paco Boy will be partnered by Richard Hughes.

Hannon said: "They keep knocking him. First they said he wouldn't stay a mile, now they are saying he won't win a Group 1 over a mile. He hasn't got the credit he deserves."

Paco Boy has settled well in recent starts and is the likely winner. But of his 11 rivals, Pressing could prove to be a surprise package.

Michael Jarvis's six-year-old has won over further at this level in Italy and his abundant stamina could come into play, making him a viable frame-filler.

Jarvis also saddles All The Aces (2.05) in the one-mile five-furlong Listed Aon Stakes.

In six starts, he has been beaten by a combined four-and-a-half lengths and has his first outing since finishing behind Campanologist in the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot.

All The Aces may need the run, but his astute trainer appears to have found an ideal opportunity, and his class may tell in this level-weights contest.  

The Aon London Gold Cup is a tough handicap to weigh up. Sehoy (3.10) could have done with a more truly-run race last time at Lingfield and the way he was backed suggested there was more expected.

Brian Meehan has suffered a couple of tough reverses in the past couple of weeks, but Exclamation (3.45) can land this six-furlong handicap.

Jamie Spencer's mount stayed on well after not finding too much room when third to Odds And Evens at Newmarket last time and won't be far away if his jockey avoids more traffic problems.