Very much agree with Adrian although I watched it on RUK rather than C4. Find it hard to understand the vehement animosity towards the event from some.
A few extra observations about the event, the early start was a bonus, wished more meetings started a bit earlier rather than all aiming for the 2.00pm mark.
The "Girls" team should obviously be renamed "Ladies" team.
Although understanding the arguments against it, would still like to see all the riders ride in all the races. If we can have reserve horses then surely we can have a reserve jockey in the unlikely event of injury or illness? I’m sure there would be no shortage of volunteers.
The biggest negative for me and one that detracted considerably from my enjoyment of the actual races were the coloured silks. When watching races I like to know which horse is which and just found the similarly coloured silks too confusing, it didn’t help that the commentator also got confused by them.
This could be solved by having individual coloured silks, eg 1 team could have black, brown, blue, another red, pink, orange etc.
On the topic of commentators why don’t they have a top commentator for the event? Mike Catt this year, Croc last year and Mike Vince previously.
Although they wont all obviously be available, they need a Hunt, Holt, Howes, Johnson or Machin for it. His C4 contract may have precluded him doing it but it was disappointing to hear Holt calling a mickey mouse meeting at Lingfield instead.