HAVING endured a torrid festival so far, Nico de Boinville probably jumped the gun a little when he implored viewers to “never write off Nicky Henderson”. Envoi Allen had just hit the deck, were the British-trained runners back? No. The green wave followed for the next six races.

Jumping the gun was to become a theme for the day with several false starts across the card. It is probably best the course microphones didn’t pick up whatever Jordan Gainford said to starter Robbie Supple before the Plate. Maybe it was just a glare, one Roy Keane would have been proud of.

In an empty venue, this was again an opportunity for the horses to just steal the show. Unfortunately, there is not a camera properly suited in the parade ring to show this. Something that seems bizarre in a place with no spectators.

It could be due to Covid-19 restrictions but every shot of horses was never side on, so as Alice spoke viewers were treated to the sight of a horse’s backside, repeatedly.

In the build-up to the Ryanair Chase, viewers were shown a random head-to-head graphic for the Stayers’ Hurdle, as the horses paraded beneath and the bell rang. The narrative was then wrestled from the production team with brute force as Rachael Blackmore and Allaho were poetry in motion in the Ryanair.

At the fourth attempt, even Blackmore admitted she was starting to like chatting to the post-race interviewer.

The Flooring Porter Story was as bittersweet as one could have asked for and it was treated well by Chapman under the direction of Danny Mullins. Johnny Moore spoke of his injury and decision to not take the ride.

It was heartbreaking stuff for Moore. Lydia Hislop spoke to him moments later and the realisation of what he had missed out on was evident in his raw emotion.

“The reach for the Social Stable has hit 55 million,” Oil Bell enthusiastically told co-host Chris Hughes.

The concept of ‘banter’ is a thoroughly flawed one, but the Social Stable lads plough on regardless.

Presumably it is to provide an ‘interactive’ approach and help the everyman. But really it does a complete disservice to both Bell and Hughes.

Extra-terrestrial Blake

Kevin Blake is no everyman though, with a nigh on 800/1 treble put up on terrestrial TV, extra-terrestrial stuff.

How to analyse complex matters in a simple way has been an Achilles heel for racing coverage for decades, there is a possiblility Ruby Walsh has changed that, while Blake is also excellent in this regard.

Ruby’s analysis could be to terrestrial coverage what Gary Neville is to football analysis, his ability to succinctly analyse form in a digestible way in unparalleled.

While it is said that good sport should speak for itself, but really that job falls to the commentator. On Thursday, Richard Hoiles reminded everyone why he is such a top-class commentator.

It is by far the most difficult job on the team, there can be no second chance, no take two and it’s not a replay.

“Paul Townend takes a look at the big screen to see how far it is back to the rest of the field.” Hoiles spots things from the top of the stands most people can’t see when they are looking at them.

“Roseys Hollow in the McManus colours with the white cap and matching face,” a beautiful image.

“Still with her nose cast to the sky, Magic Daze leads,” Hoiles noted.

Then at the end of the frantic mares’ novice hurdle: “Where others find trouble, Racheal Blackmore finds not just time but gaps, and serenely moves horses into challenge and Telmesomethinggirl is another winner.”

Spotting tiny details and then weaving them into a commentary with an almost poetic touch, Hoiles played a huge part on brilliant day’s sport.