Ascot acts creatively and decisively with a new-look schedule to savour

With noticeably less fanfare than one would associate with a meeting of its stature, on Friday Ascot produced its revised running order for this year's royal meeting.

The five flagship days will look very different next month, not least because the cavernous main stand will be missing a huge crowd each day, but the course is to be applauded for producing a programme that reflects the dramatically altered landscape Flat racing will be returning to.

Many aspects of the programme have been catered for, with as much time as possible given to those with Classic aspirations to either take in the Guineas and head to Berkshire, or conversely run at Ascot then on to the Derby or Oaks, which for 2020 will come after Royal Ascot.