EACH year the organisers of the meeting invite a number of people to make trophy presentations following each race. Members of the royal family are much in demand to do so, including the Queen herself. She even wore the colours sported by Order Of St George when presenting the trophy for the Gold Cup on Thursday, which no doubt will not be missed by Primus’ Richard Henry when it comes to promoting the Coolmore stallions in the autumn.

There was an interesting duo selected to hand over the trophies for the Queen Anne Stakes, David Redvers of Tweenhills Farm and Stud and Elizabeth Hurley. One was obviously chosen for their film star looks, while Liz Hurley is currently playing Queen Helena in the television series The Royals.

That said, Hurley was quick to exit stage left after the presentation, rebuffing even the Racing Post’s Lee Mottershead who was hoping to get a few words from her. Duty done, she was keen to get home after just a single race.

This was in contrast to a pair of recent recipients of OBEs, Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly. Better known as Ant and Dec, the pair were thrilled to give Princess Haya the winner’s trophy following Ribchester’s victory in the Group 3 Jersey Stakes.

Their upbeat and genial demeanour explains to some extent why they have won the National Television Award for most popular presenters every year from 2001 until now.

Ant and Dec are among the owners of Willie Mullins’ Augusta Kate.