Ascot can lift mood after Derby doom and gloom with five days of royal glamour, star runners and a racing spectacle fit for the world stage, writes ED CHAMBERLIN
What a difference a week will make. From the doom and gloom of Epsom and its empty hill to the promise of something quite spectacular at Royal Ascot, five days that will illustrate everything great about British racing.
Why are the two occasions so different?
It would have been unthinkable during the late Queen's reign for her not to be at Epsom on Derby Day but the lack of a Royal presence seven days ago certainly contributed to how flat everything felt. The occasion, for so many reasons, isn't resonating with the nation.
We had an audience of 1.3million on ITV, an improvement from 12 months ago but still nothing to write home about. In contrast, when we started covering racing in 2017, our ambition was to get one million-plus watching on midweek afternoons — we hope to do that on all five days next week.
People can't get enough of Ascot and that's because the course has moved with the times, making it an occasion for everyone. When the Royal procession goes down the track, it passes a complete cross section of society within 500 yards.
You have the picnickers on the Heath to those dining in the restaurant of Yannick Alleno, a chef with 17 Michelin stars; you'll have students there for a good time rubbing shoulders with aristocrats. Tickets are selling fast and Ascot expect close to 300,000 across the five days.
It was all doom and gloom at Epsom on Derby Day just seven days ago
This year marks the 200th anniversary of the Royal procession and Ascot, a racecourse in tune with their local community, have invited 500 kids from local schools on course to see the spectacle. It remains as relevant as it has ever been.
My hope is the Princess of Wales will be there with the Prince on Wednesday for the blockbuster race named in his honour. I'd love to see David and Victoria Beckham in the carriages one day, too, as they would carry racing on to the front pages.
I argued on these pages last year how I would love to see places reserved in the procession for the NHS heroes and heroines, to spread the love around, but the meeting is so successful I'll leave all decisions for the powers-that-be. Ascot's biggest selling point, however, is that Felicity Barnard — the new chief executive — knows what matters.
For all the pomp, pageantry and popping corks, everything revolves around horses. Everyone wants to be here, with runners arriving from America, Japan, Australia, Spain and Norway.
And, at the heart of it, we will be looking for a winner. Betting will be central to our coverage and my idea of a 'good thing' is Shadow Of Light in Friday's Commonwealth Cup.
I can't wait. This is Ascot: historic and in fashion — and the reason everyone will be watching.
BETS OF THE WEEK: Aside from Shadow Of Light, I expect REACHING HIGH to win Tuesday's Ascot Stakes for the King and Queen. I'm also hearing positive vibes for FITZELLA in the Albany Stakes on Friday.
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