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I can understand the possible need for pundits on a non specialist racing channel but do we really need them on RUK & ATR.
What’s the point of them unless they add something to what we’re seeing? Very few do that in my view and some are most annoying and detract quite a bit from what I am watching.
I will refrain from naming names but will name one who actually adds something to what I am watching and that is Eddie Fremantle but he is few and far between I’m afraid.Why couldn’t we have an experiment of looking at the horses in the paddock and going to post with just the sound from the track and no pundit. The presenter could just announce the runners and result, I’m sure it would be an improvement but broadcasters just seem think viewers continually need someone spouting to them even if it’s crap they’re spouting, I’m not sure that’s the case especially on a specialist channel.
I think you’re being a bit harsh, Eddie. You only have to go behind the red button to know what a dull experience watching unaccompanied pictures of horses going to the start is. And, on the whole, we’re well served by the racing pundits.
On this point though. Every racing broadcaster since Logie Baird’s original tube has singularly failed to give me what I want.
That is paddock watching advice.
I can do without tips, witty banter, market commentary and trainer interviews from the course.
What I DO want is someone to tell me how a horse’s current paddock appearance is going to impact on his performance in the horse race about to occur. More importantly, why.
I’ve seen Fremantle (at Southwell) and Pitterson (at Nottingham) in action on many occasions. Francome used to fulfil that function on C4, in those (now unbelievable) days when the channel broadcast four races in two hours. These guys have knowledge worth paying a subscription for. Everything else I can work out myself.
I don’t know about those on the telly but if possible you may wish to try listening to Timeform Radio while watching the telly. – if I had RUK & ATR I would.
I never really used to listen to them prattling on and only took any notice when the race commentary was on. But, recently I’ve began listening to the whole programme. Rory, (and this is not because he posts on here) is superb as is imv Terry Norman and of course GC.
I think it is an excellent service and couldn’t recommend it likely enough.
Have Fremantle and Pitterson been regulars on RUK over the summer?
I too like them and their paddock comments
Some older-timers may remember Radio 1s ‘Sounds of the Seventies’ broadcast for two hours from 10pm on weekdays. Jolly good it was.
One of the DJs was Pete Drummond who had his show reduced to a ‘Sequence’ in which all he would do is announce the band and toon – this is X with Y – in a drab monotone.
Now, the song like the race is all, with the intervening chatter of little matter and back then I did enjoy the minimalism…for a while…but tired of it fairly rapidly. Just too monochromatic.
Presenters and pundits do add a little necessary colour and bulk to a broadcast but their input should be restricted to pertinence rather than superfluous prattle. Richie Benaud realised that way back whenever, why didn’t more follow his commendable lead?
Agree whith Rory. Also looking forward to hearing your views next time there is a maiden special weight from Louisiana Downs!
Agree whith Rory. Also looking forward to hearing your views next time there is a maiden special weight from Louisiana Downs!
Yeah, right. As they say.
Thanks for the comments Pete – much appreciated.
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Bring back the old days of Julian Wilson and Peter O’Sullevan. A presenter and a commentator are all that you need, assuming that they’re competent.
None of it, however bad, really winds me up enough to wish them gone altogether. Having said that, I’d swap every scrap of it for pictures of the horses in the pre-parade, the parade and then going down to the start. I could happily watch that in dead silence, thanks!
As recommended ealier, Timform radio’s well worth having on instead if it ever gets too bad. Some good craic and dangerously sound reasoning to be heard there.
it if means getting rid of luke harvey and his whiny voiced missus then i’m all for it
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