Possible Clues:

• Race official
• The beginner puts a point sharp (with little hesitation)
• Track official whose report is eagerly awaited
• Is he surprised when his gun goes off?
• One giving signal to begin race
• Question from Paxman about number of prawn cocktails required?
• First course of meal
• Beginner, or opening course of meal
• A course for beginners?
• Race gun firer