BBC Sport's Frank Keogh Behind the scenes with the TV racing team

Date: Saturday 15 February, 2003
Location: Ascot Racecourse
Broadcast: BBC Two, 1420-1600 GMT

1000 Ascot Racecourse is deserted apart from a handful of staff and early arrivals.

Clare keeps smiling despite the pressures of live TV

The BBC team meet and go through their early preparations in a video truck outside the course. Some will not see a racehorse in the flesh all day - a dark area lit by up a bank of TV screens is their home.

1030 With frost in the ground, a second inspection is planned at the course and there is concern over whether the action can go ahead.

1100 Officials indicate racing is on, but only provided the temperature continues to rise.

1120 The crucial team briefing is held in a clear-fronted studio overlooking the winners' enclosure, with a searing bright arc light animating the setting.

Twenty people attend, including pundits, commentators, the floor manager, producer and editor.

They go through the day's running order, plan contingencies and work through ideas.

Internet users are being encouraged to send emails to the team, and an early query asks how races get their names.

Watch Clare in action

One of Saturday's races is named after the 1935 and 1936 Grand National winner Reynoldstown, so some vintage footage is being lined up.

While the focus is on Ascot, the team discuss how to reflect action elsewhere, with some leading Cheltenham Festival contenders on show at Wincanton.

Clare Balding is central to the whole planning process, with commentator Jim McGrath and betting guru Angus Loughran among those chipping in with specialist knowledge.

1210 Back in the truck, the equivalent of two furlongs away, scene-setting pieces are being viewed.

I'm just the ringmaster - there is a whole team that do the hard work Presenter Clare Balding

1250 Clare studies video footage, including Reynoldstown's win and an interview with jockey Joe Tizzard. She practises voice-overs until the right result is achieved.

1330 Champion jockey Tony McCoy wins the first race, which will be recorded for broadcast during the live programme.

1345 As an icy chill sweeps across the course, Clare dons a cosy jacket and gloves while running through the starts of the programme.

In between all this, she nips to a photocall to help promote the NSPCC charity.

1400 The programme is just 20 minutes away, and BBC Two's preceding Italy-Wales Six Nations rugby coverage is running overtime because of injury time.

This will have a knock-on effect - it's a faller at the first for the racing team.

1400 Tension mounts as producer Julie Griffiths remains in regular touch with the presenters.

1428 Eight minutes late, the show starts with the immortal instruction 'RUN VT'.

As the video tape runs, quick thinking is required. Any delayed start rocks a meticulous running order.

You have to be on the ball and ready to react to anything Acting editor Alastair McIntyre

1440 The first televised race sees exciting young chaser Keen Leader win for trainer Jonjo O'Neill.

1452 Despite repeated warnings over time limits, reporter Jonathan Powell manages to slip in a crucial question to the trainer about a recent fine for breaching rules.

O'Neill dodges the question, but his quote makes the next day's national newspapers.

1455 As the Reynoldstown film, complete with old-school 1930s commentary, is broadcast, Clare just has time for some fresh make-up.

Racing team: Send us your emails

Meanwhile, Richard Pitman puts a punter's email, about the weight of saddles, to saddle-bearing jockey Mick Fitzgerald.

1510 While Wales are going down to Italy in the rugby, now over on BBC One, the racing continues at Ascot.

1554 McCoy is unsually very chatty on completing a treble. Powell again has to juggle the competing demands of time and journalism.

1559 After answering some final emails, it's a wrap for Clare and the presenters, but the work goes on for the editorial staff.

1615 A potential additional presenter undergoes a screen test, completing a gruelling few hours for acting editor Alastair McIntyre.

Alastair has stepped in for racing editor Carl Hicks, who is tied up with Six Nations coverage.

1630 With the job done, it's time for the post-show briefing, and planning for Haydock in a fortnight...