WE have moved quite a way from the days when Ascot’s King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes was the must-see race of the summer. There was always tremendous anticipation when a dual Derby winner went on to prove himself against his elders in the Ascot feature.

I can remember back to 1977 when a broken TV meant no coverage and we had to tune in to the RTE radio commentary to learn if the dual Derby winner The Minstrel had proven himself against the older horses. Then the programme went off air, with a stewards’ inquiry still pending as though he had won, he hung into Orange Bay and a listener could have no idea how serious the interference was and were in oblivion until the Six O’Clock News.