ITV Racing are getting a name for being the ‘banter’ boys for these big occasions and we had to enjoy/endure a bit of it this week. Are we sure this is what is needed to bring racing to a younger, prime time, main channel audience? Especially at a Festival like Cheltenham with so many potential back stories among all the participants? Do we want Chapman’s homage to Faugheen? And Brian and Matt emerging from the bins jarred a fair bit, given the days that we are enduring.

The Social Stable can take up time that could be better used out and about in the build up, though Kian ‘Tubbs’ McNally stole the show on Thursday. What was lacking in the ITV coverage was actual interviews with connections, similiar to when Clare Balding did paddock walks before big races on the old Channel 4 coverage. There were many syndicates and diverse groups of owners at racing’s ‘Mecca’ this week who would have added a bit more colour than some of those waving in the ‘Social’ behind the presenter.