Favourites tackled as keenly as the wine but Cheltenham consensus hard to find

Normally by this stage a bread roll or two has been thrown in mischief and a glass or two of Guinness slopped on the poor bloke in the next seat, but then this isn’t a normal festival preview.

At No.131 The Promenade, a revived prestige address in the centre of Cheltenham, the emphasis is on enlightenment, in a manner that speaks volumes for the civilising powers of a well-delivered cheese souffle.

Even when the racing chat is briefly interrupted by the wine expert evangelising about the merits of Petaluma’s Coonawarra cabernet sauvignon with the rare roast beef, there’s not a heckle to be heard above the gentle slurping.