It is time to make the world number one spot something worth fighting for - so why not offer a big bonus?

For what we are about to receive, we should give thanks . . . to a young merchant seaman and an irascible Yorkshireman.

Dick Whitford, who went to sea at the age of 14 to support his family, was called up to serve on a hospital ship in World War II. To pass time between the Dunkirk evacuations, D-Day landings and many other engagements, he compiled a universal handicap for racehorses, inspired by his interest in maths and logarithms.

Such a novel idea brought him to the attention of legendary gambler and time expert Phil Bull.