Here he tells BBC Sport Online about some of favourite Royal Ascot memories.

I'd been to Ascot in the 1930s and in 1944 I'd just been invalided out of the rescue service and answered an advert in the Sporting Life.

I went to Ascot because I was told by the Press Association's editor to write a preview on a day at Ascot.

I was terribly lucky because I tipped three winners, including a 20-1 chance.

All the sports editor said was: "Why didn't you tell me to back it?" - but anyway I got the job.

That was a memorable day of my life and I've had lots of memorable days at Ascot, notably I guess when my horse Be Friendly won the King's Stand Stakes.

Altogether it's been a very exciting part of my life because I've been lucky enough to cover the Royal Procession for goodness knows how many years.

I broadcast at Ascot for about 50 years and now it's lovely to come here relaxed and enjoy it and try to back a winner.

I always used to think that being isolated up on the roof doing commentary, I was missing lots of winners that I would have backed.

But of course since I retired I've realised how much money I'd saved by being imprisoned on the roof!

Edged out

It has always been a thrill to call the Queen's winners.

However, although I normally relished calling them, I do remember calling a Royal Hunt Cup which she won with Alexander.

I had had quite a serious ante-post bet on a horse called Jasp.

Jasp and Alexander finished on the opposite sides of the course.

Harry Carr was on Alexander and my long-time Australian pal Rae Johnstone was on Jasp.

It was very difficult to tell - I thought Alexander had just won but the two jocks weren't at all sure.

That was one time when I think I announced the Queen's winner with possibly - well, I hope not! - possibly with a faint tinge of regret - Alexander had just pipped Jasp.

One of my favourite ploys at Ascot was to get up and see the horses out working at seven in the morning.

Very often, the Royal Family would ride over from Windsor Castle about eight or eight thirty and ride up the course - always a memorable occasion.

Ascot is a wonderful course, redolent in history - it was started by Queen Anne in 1711 - now that was a truly inspired move.