Sounding the Bell: how Michael's brother Rupert called home Orange

Television and radio impartiality went out of the window, and understandably so, during and after a Big Orange Gold Cup triumph that left father and son broadcasters Rupert and Oli Bell euphoric.

Bell the younger's post-race role was to interview the winning jockey and groom for ITV, which showed him in a state of very high excitement after Big Orange, trained by his uncle Michael, flashed past the post alongside Order Of St George.

"It was unreal," said Bell. "I'm actually a bit embarrassed because people saw me running down after the horse, only for me to then realise Big Orange is a bit quicker than I am, so I stopped. I think we showed it in slow motion.

"I'm thrilled for Mike and Taffy, who looks after him. I'm chuffed for everyone involved as I know how hard they work. When I go to the yard I see how much they love this horse. He has the heart of a lion.

"Watching that as just as a horserace, irrelevant of my connection, was unbelievable. Obviously I was cheering on Big Orange, though. I'm so chuffed."

Asked if he had shed a tear, Bell added: "Oh, no, no, no. I don't cry. Although when I crossed the line, I thought: 'You've got to be professional.' Then I thought: 'Sod it.'"

Head lad Twyron Lloyd-Jones leads Big Orange into Ascot's winner's enclosureCredit: Mark Cranham

Tears were most definitely shed by Twyron (Taffy) Lloyd-Jones, who had given Big Orange his breakfast at 4.15am.

"We come into racing for horses like Big Orange," he said. "He's an absolute gentleman. He wears his heart on his sleeve, puts everything into his races and never knows when he's beat. I told James Doyle I ride the horse every day and so long as he stayed, he would win.

"I'm the head lad, so I don't get to go racing much. This was only the second time I've led him up but it was a day not to be missed."

It was a day not to be missed, and never to be forgotten, for Rupert Bell, who commentated on the Gold Cup for talkSPORT and gave his brother's warrior stayer considerable vocal encouragement.

"With half a furlong to run, I shouted: 'Come on Big Orange!' I'm sorry, but what was I supposed to do? I have completely no regrets.

"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. The Princess said it was a good job the horse didn't lose in the photo-finish!"

Then, unlike his son, Bell – who ended his commentary with the immortal words: "I think he's done it. Yes! You beauty!" – did allow himself to become a little moist of cheek.

"I can't believe my brother has just trained the winner of the Gold Cup," he said. Then he began to shed a few tears. He had absolutely no reason to regret those, either.