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Celebrations, recriminations and superlatives

ITV Racing presenter Oli Bell, nephew of Big Orange’s trainer Michael, can’t contain his excitement after the victory
ITV Racing presenter Oli Bell, nephew of Big Orange’s trainer Michael, can’t contain his excitement after the victoryCredit: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

TUESDAY

"My assistant Johnny Bailey has been asking me for the last six weeks to get the Jockey Club to extend the Newmarket gallops as he's a flying machine."
Richard Spencer after Rajasinghe won the Coventry, earning quotes of 20-1 for the 2,000 Guineas. He was just Spencer's ninth winner.

"We expect people to turn up and wear what they're supposed to wear. If the temperatures push up to the high 20s, or maybe even the 30s, we may relax the dress code slightly."
As temperatures soared on the opening day, Ascot's Nick Smith showed that given a choice between racegoers in full morning suit regalia keeling over and maintaining standards of dress, the racecourse was at least keeping an open mind.

"It feels massively good. I probably went a bit overboard in my celebrations. I've had Royal Ascot winners but this one was very important. It's been a while since a winner meant that much to me."
James Doyle after winning on Barney Roy. Crossing the line he put a finger to his lips, possibly a reference to the difficult period he has endured since being discarded by Saeed Bin Suroor.

Barney Roy (right) swoops late under James Doyle to land the St James's Palace with hot favourite Churchill (orange cap) well beaten
Barney Roy (right) swoops late under James Doyle to land the St James's Palace with hot favourite Churchill (orange cap) well beatenCredit: Mike Hewitt

WEDNESDAY

"You better get your skates on, the first race is half past two."
Dennis Skinner MP's traditional heckle to Black Rod during the Queen's Speech in the House of Lords. Fortunately a slimmed down speech meant the Queen arrived at Ascot in time for the royal procession.

"We are the greatest! We're hot to trot! I'm not over the moon, I'm twice over the moon!"
Lord Derby's mother Rosie Spiegelberg, member of the Hot To Trot syndicate, celebrating after their Heartache won the Queen Mary.

"He's so tough it's hard to believe – he's concrete."
Aidan O'Brien on the tough as teak Highland Reel, who added a Prince of Wales's Stakes to his growing list of international honours.

"Mine is not as big as his."
Andre Fabre was not happy with the size of his trophy compared to jockey Pierre-Charles Boudot's after their Le Brivido won the Jersey.

THURSDAY

"Ladies' days are now slightly two a penny and are about best dressed-lady competitions, catwalks and ladies holding paddles. As days, they have connotations that don't sit well with Royal ascot, where the fashion has always been very organic."
Ascot's Nick Smith again, explaining why the track would prefer if everyone avoided calling Thursday Ladies' Day, thank you very much.

"I think he's done it! Yes! You beauty!"
Oli's father, Rupert Bell, brother of Big Orange's trainer Michael, delivered a memorable Gold Cup commentary on talkSPORT as the family celebrated an epic win.

"After the race, I came down in the lift with the Princess Royal, her husband and Andrew Parker Bowles. They could see I was in quite a state, so I explained to them I'd just lost it doing the commentary for talkSPORT. Andrew pointed out Peter O'Sullevan would never have done that."
Rupert Bell, again.

"When [Big Orange] crossed the line, I thought 'You've got to be professional'. Then I thought 'Sod it'."
ITV's Oli Bell, Rupert's son, who sprinted on to the track after Big Orange's epic Gold Cup win, can be excused letting his broadcast impartiality slip.

ASCOT, ENGLAND - JUNE 22:  Winning jockey James Doyle and Big Orange celebrates after winning the Gold Cup on Day Three of Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse on June 22, 2017 in Ascot, England.  (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
Oli Bell wears a huge grin as he greets his uncle's Gold Cup hero Big OrangeCredit: Mike Hewitt

"Frankie is a real star and was on the phone for 20 minutes a couple of nights ago. He said don't interfere with him. He knows what speed he wants to go at, so you just sit as a passenger. I'd better buy him a drink – more than one probably!"
James Doyle, who rode Big Orange, reveals the injured Frankie Dettori had given him the lowdown on how best to ride the stayer.

FRIDAY

"He's brilliant. His change of pace is unreal. He's just unbelievably quick."
Caravaggio's sensational Commonwealth Cup win had Aidan O'Brien reaching for the superlatives.

"My son assuming I fell asleep in the car park is scandalous and he can never ask me for money again as a result of his pack of lies."
Rupert Bell, whose son Oli suggested on air had kipped at Ascot after (over) celebrating Big Orange's win, revealed he actually enjoyed a potentially civilised evening at Ascot chief executive Guy Henderson's house.

"I hope you only rented that top hat and tails, you'll hardly be using them next year."
Jump jockey Bryan Cooper fired this tweet to ITV's Matt Chapman after the two clashed on Twitter.

"That's 40 winners and I'm very proud. As far as British racing is concerned this is centre stage. I think it's the number one meeting anywhere in the world, and I want to be here having winners."
Mark Johnston after Permian's King Edward VII win brought up his 40th victory at the royal meeting.

SATURDAY

"I was very taken with Caravaggio on Friday and he had this relentless run to the line, but my fella quickened as good as he's ever quickened – he's the best sprinter I've ridden."
Tom Queally wasn't ducking a Caravaggio July Cup clash with his Diamond Jubilee winner The Tin Man.

"You either keep it or you don't. I lost a Guineas a few years ago, but nobody dies."
Queally, again, this time showing a commendable sense of perspective about the stewards' inquiry into the Diamond Jubilee result. Ultimately, the positions were unaltered, and nobody died.

Tight nish: The Tin Man, partnered by Tom Queally and trained by James Fanshawe, gets the better of Tasleet (far) and Limato (middle) in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes
Tight nish: The Tin Man, partnered by Tom Queally and trained by James Fanshawe, gets the better of Tasleet (far) and Limato (middle) in the Diamond Jubilee StakesCredit: Edward Whitaker

"She's not very big, but she thinks she is and has a big personality and big presence."
Aidan O'Brien on Chesham winner September who clearly punches above her weight.

"The horse won the Great St Wilfrid at Ripon and a Listed race at York, but then he broke his jaw and had to have two operations … He then developed a problem with his wind and had to have another two operations. Throughout this time he showed remarkable resilience and desire to win."
Owner Evan Sutherland revealed the medical history of eight-year-old Wokingham winner Out Do, who won at 25-1 for David O'Meara and Daniel Tudhope.

Tom KerrEditor

Published on 25 June 2017inBritain

Last updated 19:04, 25 June 2017

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