THE ITV Cheltenham TV coverage began with the presenters queueing at the gates to get in and Alastair Down is quoted by Ed Chamberlin: “Cheltenham is for everyone, a place where Dukes meet dustmen.”

The Dukes may be in hiding this year, but I race up town to get a Racing Post and catch a workman outside the shop saying “I have to go over there now to do my bets”, heading to the BoyleSports office across the road. Yes, maybe everyone is engaged in Cheltenham.