Form Book 25

Very little movement at the bookies in the 2012 DG Stakes - though Mark Damazer, former Controller of BBC Radio 4, now Master of St Peter's College, Oxford, has shortened a little with Ladbrokes and now stands at 10/1 - fifth favourite.

Those looking for clues about his possible candidacy will pick up on this FT diary where he reveals he's joined a gym in Oxford. And Mark offers this reflection on meetings of the 40-odd heads of Oxford colleges "......there is a democratic air to proceedings and the quality of debate is high. I wonder whether, in part, it is because most people who end up as head of a college are not doing it as a stepping stone to anything else. Rather the Oxford job comes after a career as a distinguished scientist, diplomat, civil servant, lawyer or whatever. The BBC is not a nest of vipers – but the politics of ambition is more apparent".

Too right, mate, as they say at high table.