TEAM ITV welcomed us to a Festival ‘like no other’ with Ed and Francesca in pole position on day one, and their description, for once, wasn’t hyperbole.

Empty sports venues are not telegenic and creating drama without a crowd is an effort, a necessary one. These unfortunate facts jarred slightly with the forced opening sell. The presenting pair were attempting to assure the viewers that they would do their best to guide this show and the ‘stories’ to the viewer. They assured the message landed with a sense of desperation, then again they knew what was planned later in the broadcast.

The team were in Covid compliant positions around the empty course with Ruby Walsh in his own bubble. Ruby is so adept at broadcasting, even in these bizarre conditions, it is hard to believe just 24 months ago he was still riding at the Festival.

The Zoom experiences of The Road To Cheltenham with Lydia Hislop on Racing TV have clearly paid off as Walsh once against delivered clear concise analysis, using replays well to clearly illustrate his points.

As was the case in his previous career at the Festival, the contrast between Ruby and his fellow former weighroom colleagues is stark.

Ahead of the Supreme the team wilfully attempted to build tension. However, a tiny field in a huge field does not make for great atmosphere. That said, owning the reality of that situation is surely acceptable. This year is different, no ‘roar’ would surely be okay, wouldn’t it? Like they are not just going to used a pre-recorded canned roar, are they?

“Some traditions are too good to leave at home,” according to commentator Richard Hoiles. The mistimed, mercifully brief, fake-crowd-noise roar, should not only have been left at home, it should have been locked away in the attic never to be heard again.

The opening race went to plan with Appreciate It hosing up in the Supreme. Paul Townend seemed relieved and maybe there was a hint of emotion. The combination of a mask and a shouting Matt Chapman ensured neither matter would be explored.

Throughout the broadcast there was a constant reference to the ‘bad press’ and ‘racing’s reputation.’ Every single Cullentra horse got a knowing mention. Earlier in the day the BHA chief executive Julie Harrington had been dragged across the coals on BBC Radio Four, so the mood in the UK is possibly more tense than here.

However, what happened next was quite bizarre. A thorough look back into why last year’s meeting should not have gone ahead, complete with some bonus Piers Morgan. Yes the man who walked off an ITV set just a week previously.

The debate was thorough and arguably necessary, but too late. Twelve months ago ITV Racing ignored the threat of the innocent pandemic. The tone on their coverage then was gleefully at odds with the public anxiety.

The audience is now thoroughly coronavirus-weary. It has been a year, a long year. Nothing new will come from the discussion. Apart perhaps, from Nick Rust revising his opinion, effectively leaving a burning bag of dog turd at his successor’s door as he rings the bell and whistles off into the sunset.

Needed

Some nice pictures of good horses, like the stunning Shishkin was what we needed. A Covid shell-shocked audience was looking for a few moments of escape, not convenient revisionism, long after the fact.

As is always the case, when you need a job done, get a good woman to do it, or in Tuesday’s case, get several. Rachael Blackmore and Honeysuckle saved the day for ITV and possibly the sport itself, given the tone overall.

As the gang of guys on analysis did their best to not patronise Rachael’s achievement it was time to switch to Racing TV.

The prevalence of female voices on the channel is an obvious and welcome contrast with ITV. The studio dynamic between Rachel Casey and Jane Mangan was warm and informative without ever falling into ‘banter’ territory.

A merciful antithesis to the Social Stable, who despite having the run of an empty stadium, still managed to be in the worst place in the venue, a badly-lit wind tunnel.

On Racing TV with Lydia and Lucky the viewer can relax, everything will be fine. Trainers will be asked relevant questions like why a horse is drifting and they will be told simply “GSI.”

Without any spectators, it was an opportunity for the horses to be the stars, to be front and central, eventually that was the case, when Honeysuckle stole the show.