THE finish of the Hardwicke Stakes at Ascot last Saturday produced a most welcome result on the occasion of the Queen’s 90th birthday with a battling victory for Dartmouth, in royal ownership, in a close finish with Highland Reel.

The Channel4 team attempted to create a bit of false drama following the stewards’ inquiry. In truth, even ignoring the fact that the horse was owned by the Queen, there was never any likelihood of Dartmouth being disqualified, after the result in the Duke of Edinburgh Stakes the previous day. You almost wished for the directness of Matt Chapman to cut the false tension.