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I’ve got a real problem with this subject.
Back in the day, it was nice and simple – go racing and if you wanted to be able to see what was going on out in the country take a pair of binoculars with you.
But now we live in the era of the Big Screen.
You can watch the whole race on it if you like, or most of it before looking direct at the race in the closing stages.
But what’s the actual point of even being there if you’re going to watch it all on a screen?
You could do that at home.
Some big screens obscure the view of the actual action too.
And I’ve even see people using binoculars to watch….the big screen!
What’s THAT all about?
I’m honestly no nearer being at peace with a solution to this – to try to preserve that real life, being there, experience I’ve even tried to avert my gaze from the Big Screen when a race is going on but, when they’re behind the thing, that doesn’t make a whole lot of sense.
Big Screens – just another reason why you might as well stop at home?
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It's the "Millwall FC" of Point broadcasts: "No One Likes Us - We Don't Care"I use binoculars and try to avoid looking at the big screen. I generally only look at it if I have had a bet and am getting worried about how well my selection is going.
The only time when I always look at the big screen is at Aintree during races over the National course. I use binoculars for the run from the Melling Road, over the 13th and 14th fences and the Chair. But apart from that you get no view of the National course from Tatts, so the big screen is the only option.
The first race meeting I ever attended was the July Meeting at Newmarket in the mid 1980s. I do not remember it having a big screen, so the horses were just a dot in the distance in the early stages of a race.
They were introduced
A) as the blind drunk brigade didn’t have a clue to what was going on after 20 pints
B) Derek Thompson started commentating
C) people can’t hold a pair of binoculars and play with their mobile phones at the same time
Never pick it up on the box but when at the course there is always a group of in the main women that cheer their horse on or groan in disappointment when they go past the post first time… Sometimes the horses have only gone a couple of furlongs and they say men don’t listen…😂😂
Gaelic Warrior Gold Cup Winner 2026
There is a similarly never-ending supply of people at point-to-points who have either never been to one before or suffer from amnesia.
The question: “How many times do they go round?” is only challenged for frequency by: “What’s better? 9/4 or 5/2? Guessing 9/4 because it’s got a 9 in it?”
Thank you both for your, as ever, excellent feedback, gentlemen.
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It's the "Millwall FC" of Point broadcasts: "No One Likes Us - We Don't Care"If you watch on the big screen you can stand closer to the bar and be right at the front of the queue for a £7.50 pint of Guinness before the next race
‘or most of it before looking direct at the race in the closing stages.
In all seriousness, this makes perfect sense to me. I want to see what’s going on, not spend three quarters of the race squinting at a bunch of identical looking horses in the distance trying to work out which colours are mine.
Do agree that the screen should be as out of the way as possible for those who want the full bino experience though.
Surprised you get that many clueless muppets at PTP, I had the impression it was more of a hardcore of dedicated followers of the sport.
“Surprised you get that many clueless muppets at PTP, I had the impression it was more of a hardcore of dedicated followers of the sport.”
It’s very much a seasonal two-tier clientele.
In the winter (November to February) when the ground is at its Softest and field sizes are at their biggest and most competitive, you do get the “hardcore,” many of them clutching the “Looseleaf,” (Ptp formbook) and I refer to them as the Looseleaf Mafia.
But from March onwards, as faster ground and smaller fields make themselves manifest, the “LM” are heavily outnumbered by the picnic crowd for who number of circuits and what odds mean remain a perpetual mystery.
I am "The Horse Racing Punter" on Facebook
https://mobile.twitter.com/Ian_Davies_
https://www.facebook.com/ThePointtoPointNHandFlatracingpunter/
It's the "Millwall FC" of Point broadcasts: "No One Likes Us - We Don't Care"Thank you Ian, it’s not just me.
I’ve always said if I wanted to watch the racing on a tv screen I’d be sat at home with a coffee doing it.
My number one priority when going racing is being able to see all the action from up in the stands with my bins. I do agree with you about Aintree though CAS. Even from high up in the Daresbury stand you have to turn your attention to the screen eventually.
There are also times when the horses are in full view, but head on, I then often look at the screen to get a better side on view.
I am thinking of Epsom last week, but it happens at many courses especially in the finishing straight.
And I must admit I am one that uses my binoculars to look at the screen. I need glasses for long distance but I have never managed to be able to wear glasses and use my binoculars at the same time. So I find it much easier to continue to use the binoculars but switch between the live race nd the screen.
You’re welcome, patriot1 – we obviously “see” this the same way!
Thanks for the explanation, Chestnut, none of that had occurred to me tbh.
I am "The Horse Racing Punter" on Facebook
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It's the "Millwall FC" of Point broadcasts: "No One Likes Us - We Don't Care"They have there uses
Went to Warwick on kingmaker day
Was able to watch all the races from Newburys betfair hurdle card on them in between races in the fresh air rather than be crammed into the william hill in the building
There is a portion of the race where the horses are completely hidden from view at Warwick you’d need xray vision not binoculars
They won’t be going away that’s for sure
I don’t mind big screens, though I tend not to use them.
Mind you, I get some funny looks when I watch the racing through my binoculars even when there’s a big screen there. One of my companions at a recent race day – in fairness, not a racing expert – said: “Oh, you’ve brought your goggles!”
I use the big screen only when the field is in the very far distance, or if it’s obscured… by the big screen.
Being “vertically challenged”, I generally welcome screens as I rarely see much apart from some tall blighter’s shoulders through my bins. Annoying when they actually block the view of parts of the race though. Big screen by the paddock at Cheltenham and Goodwood’s after the winning post are good examples of positioning to enhance the experience rather than spoil it.
Much better than binoculars when they are out ‘in the country’.
Watch the furthest away bits on the screen, binoculars when within striking distance, eyes only (with specs) for the last quarter mile.
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