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I agree with Clivex about the dumbing down and the comparison with their cricket coverage.
Being a cricket fan as well as a racing one, I felt that C4’s test match coverage was notable for explaining the technicalities of the game (just as "diffficult" a sport as racing) in a way that was interesting and entertaining, both to existing fans and casual viewers alike. There’s no reason why the same philosophy shouldn’t be applied to their racing coverage as well.
I also agree with those who feel that there are far too many presenters on C4 racing, They could easily do it with 4, or 5 at most. No doubt any new sponsor (Betfair?) will insist on some savings being made in this area.
Flash,
Football is different because there is almost continuous action on the park.
There are many sports and events where this isn’t the case and I believe racing comes into this category. Other examples would be cricket, tennis and show jumping. Also, I would include certain televised events like concerts.
I certainly enjoy the atmosphere of these occasions, even though I am in my sitting room at home. Somehow, I feel that I am a part of the proceedings, but maybe I have a fruitful imagination….. or perhaps I’m a bit barmy.
Many people are interested in the racing but also like to be entertained by the goings on at the track.
Fist fight in the car park
Office girls puking in the ladies
Fat bloke eating a burger
Artemis
With reference to football, racing also has continuous action.
Never mind getting to the racecourse; there’s the pre-parade ring with the saddling; the weighing room with the jockeys, their clothing, colours and equipment; the parade ring; being jocked up and cantering (or otherwise) down to the start; the ‘off’ be it from stalls or tape; the race; the aftermath. Then there are the complexities of the handicap, Group/Listed races, etc. There is also the characters and training of the horses; the racing yards and staff who care for them; the jockeys; and all the other people who are involved within racing. Huge educational material that could be presented in an interesting way, obviously far too much for one meeting, but possible with careful planning over the year.I wrote to CH4 some years ago about their coverage of a GP1 meeting.
We saw endless people in fashionable gear; the Royal Family; the Queen Mum in her buggy; an owner promoting his business; a chat with a trainer about the chances of his fancied horse; all frequently interspersed with betting odds. Only three or four horses in the race were mentioned.
The first time anyone even heard or saw the winning horse was when he popped up from the back in the last furlong.
Momentary silence from the numerous presenters and then the usual excuses: ground, traffic problems, unexposed …Agree with nor
When has there ever been a decent feature on c4 which is geared towards illuminating the casual punter?
Most on here would not need to listen to a segment on say, the importance of the draw and why or influence of breeding, but i cant believe that anyone with the vaguest interest in racing would really want to see the dreary emma spencer trailing around some tent selling poxy handbags (anyone else remeber that garbage?)
I agree with Clivex about the dumbing down and the comparison with their cricket coverage.
Being a cricket fan as well as a racing one, I felt that C4’s test match coverage was notable for explaining the technicalities of the game (just as "diffficult" a sport as racing) in a way that was interesting and entertaining, both to existing fans and casual viewers alike. There’s no reason why the same philosophy shouldn’t be applied to their racing coverage as well.
Perhaps they think that as most horse racing fans have been watching C4 coverage for some time they don’t need to be told again.. Therein lies one of C4’s major problems. They are trying to attract people into racing using every reason they can think of other than actually promoting the sport itself. It’s a great sport, with highly talented and enthusiastic people. The sport is so rich and has so much depth that I cannot udnerstand why they feel the need to dress it up as a social occasion with an incidental bunch of horses running round a track. Frankly it does my nut in.
I used to enjoy seventies TV football coverage. This often used to focus on the terrace battles while teams of moustachioed beardies ground out sterile 0-0 wars of attrition, of interest only to the purist.
Coverage of the Caribbean cricket tours was enlivened by pictures of stoned barmy soldiers dancing to reggae, drinking cans of Red Stripe while Atherton ground out another noble but mind numbing seven hour half century.
It’s context, isn’t it. And wider entertainment.
And to be honest, at York this week, the perfumed dollies on jollies were by far the most entertaining part of the action. Action which by and large was largely predictable – Kingsgate Native apart.
Just an alternative tuppence
Trinny and Susannah Go To……..The Ebor:
More horse-sense from the girls as they rein-in fashion as backward as the race title.Challenge Tommy Walsh:
Douglas has built a grandstand – but has he got the footings right? Tommy comes up with an idea…….Trinny and Susannah Go To……..The Ebor:
More horse-sense from the girls as they rein-in fashion as backward as the race title.Ooh, that reminds me – I’ve had a TV show with those two commissioned. No, really I have!
It’s a one-off show in which Trinny and Susannah, attempting to travel across the East of England by train, are disappointed to learn they will not be able to stop in their favourite small Hertfordshire town as planned.
The show is called What, Not to Ware?
Jeremy
(graysonscolumn)Jeremy Grayson. Son of immigrant. Adoptive father of two. Metadata librarian. Freelance point-to-point / horse racing writer, analyst and commentator wonk. Loves music, buses, cats, the BBC Micro, ale. Advocate of CBT, PACE and therapeutic parenting. Aspergers.
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