Channel 4’s tricky task of taking on the BBC

You would not think Clare Balding would ever take second place to anybody. But just as Channel 4 was finalising this year’s Derby coverage the producer, Carl Hicks, heard that the Queen would arrive at Epsom the very moment Balding was due to start coverage of the race meeting.

I am standing at the back of the special studio the Channel has constructed at the finish line and watched Hicks rehearse Balding through her opening lines. This shows her on a top of a bus interviewing a grandfather, father and grandchild. It is supposed to reflect the three generational Derby story: the favourite, Dawn Approach, having had father – New Approach – and grandfather – Gallelio – win the Derby.