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Very sad to hear this news. He brought a sense of gravitas and was skilled at building up the big occasions during his time on Channel 4 Racing. I am glad he was able to attend to see the Press Room at Cheltenham named in his honour, a fitting tribute.
RIP Alastair Down
I recall him writing a typically heartfelt and wistful article some years ago – presumably in the RP – concerning a decision he’d made to give up the demon drink: essentially a sad and mercilessly self-aware mea culpa in which the now-prescient sentence “I’m not the sort to make old bones” or thereabouts appeared.
It was met with applause all round, though it would seem he jumped off the wagon after a shortish ride: a too-familiar occurence
His loss is the RP loss , a wonderful wordsmith , def believe ITV could have made use of him
Alistair was the greatest wordsmith Racing has ever had. A flawed genius. Fitting tribute for the Press Room at Cheltenham to be named after him. Just hope a social event celebrating his life didn’t play a part in ending it.
Value Is EverythingI don’t think so Ginger, given that he once wrote after returning from Arc weekend:
“I just wish to be alone with my thoughts and sincere hopes that my liver, which I mailed home by separate refrigerated container, will arrive soon.”
Best of pull out in RP today , Biddlecome and Long Runs GC articles both fantastic pieces
Alastair’s articles were so engaging and beautifully-crafted with wonderful prose and humour. His reflective pieces at the end of Channel 4’s Cheltenham highlights were also a wonderful mix of fact, fiction and emotion. I remember after Istabraq’s first CH…… ‘Aidan phones the parish priest and tells him to get the builders in’ ! He will be sadly missed. RIP
Had he been ill? Hadn’t heard anything. 
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