Queen set to 'absorb every minute detail' on ITV as she misses Ascot again

There was an empty seat in the first carriage of the royal procession on Ascot's opening day. That will once again be the case today, with Buckingham Palace having confirmed the Queen will not be travelling to the racecourse.

We can, however, be certain she will be savouring all the action on ITV as the Prince of Wales, the Duchess of Cornwall and Vice Admiral Sir Tony Johnstone-Burt will be in the first carriage on Wednesday.

For many of those who come to this second day of the meeting, there will be less interest in the Royal Hunt Cup than in their hunt to see the royals. In the Queen's absence, even the national anthem was curtailed yesterday, with protocol dictating that the Prince of Wales received only the first six bars of the music that traditionally accompanies the arrival of the famous carriages. (We must hope protocol is relaxed today - 50 per cent of the anthem just sounds strange.)

The Queen will be represented by Perfect Alibi in today's Queen Vase, but it is tomorrow's day three card – when she would normally present the trophies following the Gold Cup – that gives her the best chance of another royal meeting winner. Reach For The Moon is odds-on for the Hampton Court Palace Stakes at 5.35pm, ensuring perhaps the biggest story could come late in the afternoon.

The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall show their appreciation to racegoers as they arrive at Royal Ascot on TuesdayCredit: Alex Livesey (Getty Images)

Speaking on Wednesday morning, the Queen's racing advisor, John Warren, said the Queen's attendance at Ascot this week will be determined on a day by day basis. She will, however, most definitely be watching. Those charged with marketing ITV Racing can be sure of having one particularly important viewer in Windsor.

"Obviously the Queen is disappointed not to be able to be at Ascot," said Warren. "That is particularly true because she enjoys being able to get a feel for the horses by seeing them in the paddock.

"Having said that, by watching on television, the Queen is able to enjoy all the racing, thanks to the tremendous coverage by Ed Chamberlin and his outstanding ITV team. The Queen will absorb everything in minute detail."

Her Majesty will, no doubt, be fascinated to see what happens in the Prince of Wales's Stakes, in which last year's Japanese Derby winner Shahryar attempts to become Japan's first ever winner at Royal Ascot.

One of those hoping to see history made is Akiyoshi Takada, a member of the Japan Racing Association's London team. His duties today include assisting Shahryar's connections and looking after JRA vice-president Kazuyoshi Honkawa. Those duties began much earlier in the day than you might expect, given he arrived at 5.30am to ensure all was ready for Shahryar's arrival from Newmarket.

Shahryar represents Japan in the Prince of Wales's StakesCredit: Edward Whitaker

"Royal Ascot is really prestigious, with a rich history and big prize-money," said Takada. "We have had two winners in British Group 1s, thanks to Agnes World in the July Cup and Deirdre in the Nassau, but we have not yet had any Royal Ascot winners. I hope this will be the year when that changes.

"The trainer and the jockey haven't told me their strategy but the trainer says the start is the key. If he jumps well, Cristian Demuro can take a nice position and then the horse can hopefully show his exceptional turn of foot."

If he does, there will be very many ecstatic people watching back home. The Green Channel, Japan's version of Racing TV, has 350,000 subscribers. Takada's best guess is more than 200,000 will be glued to the action when the big race is run at 11.40pm.

Given the lady who owns Ascot will also be watching on television, those avid Japanese racing fans will be in most excellent company.

Royal Ascot Wednesday:

3.05 Royal Ascot: Can Nahanni recover from Derby horror show to give Appleby back-to-back wins?

3.40 Royal Ascot: Sir Michael Stoute has eyes on the prize as Bay Bridge faces toughest test yet

4.20 Royal Ascot: Will Mother Earth's course form prove decisive or is that too simple?

5.00 Royal Ascot: Trainer quotes and draw analysis for a red-hot Royal Hunt Cup

5.35 Royal Ascot: Are we dealing with a potential 'good thing' in the shape of Little Big Bear?

6.10 Royal Ascot: Could Royal Ascot's newest race break the rule for races over a mile?

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