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Normally I’m not one for criticising commentators but this guy is dreadful. He memorises the colours of the first 4 in the market, he frequently gets lost if anything else takes a lead. His pre race form preparation is non existent, as for analysis, he makes it up as he goes along.
Lucky to be making money from the game, which is something considering its the horseracing media I’m referring to.
Only caught the last race on RUK, Cav, and it was Ian Bartlett. Doesn’t sound a very Barty-like thing to do, though – was someone else on beforehand? If he was a bit Antipodaean-sounding, it would have been Arthur Cooper. If he sounded a bit more like Richard Hoiles, it would have been Patrick Fereday or Richard Swainston.
gc
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.
It definitely wasn’t Ian Bartlett, Jeremy. The blokes name is Robyn (or Robin) Grey.
Nothing to get too bothered about however this guys lack of preparation is dreadful. He’s a regular on the Equida French coverage for the big meetings during the summer. Doubt he’d last a day calling at a UK racecourse.
Robin Gray was a top class racecourse commentator for decades and imo his calls still stand scrutiny today.
Not sure why he may have had an off day, he is in his seventies now but still sharp as a knife.
Craig
Ah, it was Robin in the end, was it? I work alongside him at (more or less) every Hackwood Park point meeting and he did tell me once that he does work on French racing as well. However, I think I’d understood (probably wrongly) that was English commentary on French racing for the non-European feed.
He attracts the occasional word of criticism on pointing forums for his Hackwood work, but frankly given the amount of in-field fixtures and fittings, trees, tents, etc. at that venue you’d need x-ray eyes to be faultless. It’s a bit of thankless task, especially when said trees erupt into leaf for the May meeting. Imagine Cartmel, but with no recourse to a monitor for the bits out of view, and you’re about there!
Can’t speak for Robin’s effort yesterday having not heard it, but give him somewhere like Larkhill, Barbury or Dunthrop to do (which he still does a few times a year) and he’s still entirely adequate. Think he still rides regularly, too, which certainly puts this lardy kid half his age to shame.
gc
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.
Thanks for the info Jeremy, its a small world the racing world.
Regardless of his sharpness,Craig his preparation and calling regularly leaves a lot to be desired when he’s working on Equida. I’d say he watches a lot more point to point than regular racing in his spare time.
Still, its good to have the pictures for free on Sheikh Mohammed’s racing channel.
Robin Grey isn’t employed on Equidia’s English-language service but he does cover some of the major flat races for an IMG-produced broadcast which is notably used by Dubai.
ATR/RUK both get the Equidia pro service whose commentators include Ian Bartlett and John Hunt as well as the very competent Patrick Ferriday, Richard Swainston and Arthur Cooper.Personally I like the last three mentioned – get confused between them all!
Might even like the one that got some flack…not very good at putting names to faces let alone voices!The last three have a calm and clear manner about them – and I always seem to back a winner when they are on!
99% sure it was Barty on Sunday. To cut him some slack, I’m pretty sure he (and the others on the Equidia roster) work entirely from monitor so are reliant on some "arty" French camerawork.
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