HOW many presenters does it take to cover a five-hour racing programme?

From the two channels broadcasting from Royal Ascot, it was certainly enough to match Gareth Southgate’s England Euro squad.

Indeed, Ed, Jason, Francesca, Adele, Johnny M, Matt, Rishi, Oli, Kevin, Michelle, Ruby, Brian G, Luke, and Mark and Charlotte in the fashion stable could take on a second 11 match against the ATR gang, Alex, Jim, Jamie, Freddie, Hayley, Gina, Seb, Josh.

In the old days, Willie Carson needed a soap box to stand up along side Clare Balding, Seb Sanders looks a bit comical accepting the lower level in his Scottish attire a good few inches below the top hatted Lynch and Apiafi.

Oli Bell and Kevin Blake do the data analysis on ITV. “We’ll be going down deep,” we are told! While all the sectional time and striding data available now offers huge interest, it does have to be of the ‘tell me something I don’t know’ element.

You don’t really need much data to tell you what your eyes can see on Zanndabad’s Chester Vase run, beginning his run six lengths off the winner and having to switch out wide off the bend, made him very unlucky. A total of 11.6 metres unlucky but that mattered not in the race today as with a clear run he made no impression in the closing stages.

Kevin gets it spot on though in the Prince of Wales’s with his assessment of Inspiral’s chances. He sums it up better before the race than John Gosden did afterwards! She just wouldn’t stay under those conditions.

In an era when jockeys are less well known among general sportsmen, Billy Loughnane is a welcome addition and his dad David provides the quote of the day, “The minute he was born I put him on a rocking horse.”

Slagged off

Of course the royal processions and fashion coverage gets slagged off online but it’s once a year, relax! You do miss the Queen’s hat appearance though.

Oli Bell’s Social Stable finds a lady confessing she took five hours to get ready “I didn’t sleep!” Less that it took Auguste Rodin to get back home to his Ballydoyle stable!

When the ladies have spent fortunes on hats and hair, I rather like the authentic Aussie look Asfoora presents with her wild forelock flowing a la So You Think some years back.

The Aussies and Henry Dwyer share the stars of the first day with Richard Hannon, Sean Levey and the brilliant Rosallion. In a time of general online abuse – it’s great to see all the unanimous praise for Levey’s judgement in delivering his challenge on the Hannon colt.

Jim McGrath was not happy though with the Browne McMonagle manoeuvre after the start in the Copper Horse Handicap for which the rider got a four-day suspension, “people have to be aware of everyone else.” At least Frankie is just there on foot this week!

Own goal

Did anyone score an own goal? Francesca came close – after the Prince of Wales’s Stakes saying they will presumably stand Auguste Rodin as a flat stallion.

“Auguste Rodin has absolutely everything. He is by a phenomenal sire by a champion who is out of a champion. He is a Group 1-winning two-year-old, a dual Derby winner, a Breeders’ Cup winner and an Irish Champion Stakes. He’s the exact horse we have been looking for” M.V. Magnier is quoted later. There’s no presuming there.

Matt Chapman also gets praise online and in truth, he is very good, with too much happening, no time to engage in some of his more irritating traits.

The point is made online and very relevant that up-to-date betting moves are rarely given much mileage on TV - just Brian Gleeson pointing at the bookies boards in the ring. This is missed from the old days.

If it’s Royals in enclosures, it’s blue bloods on the track too – a son of Muhaarar and Taghrooda and a daughter of Sea The Stars and Treve in the winner’s enclosure.

Overall, blessed with fine weather, it is racing at its best, every interview showing how it is the desired place to have success. Running Lion’s owner David Howden’s delight is a great advertisement for it all.

The international element from the Henry Dwyer team gives great entertainment from interviews before and after and their enjoyment is a tonic.

The Scots may be walking 500 miles to Germany but to take what was considered a second class sprinter and travel 10,000 miles to win a Group 1, deserves the mightiest applause.