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Think it’s been the usual high quality myself, really enjoyed the Jockey ‘lessons’ with Fran Berry & Oli, John Dance feature was good and Jason Weaver is spot on as always. Did good getting both Doyle & Oisin up today to speak about the Juddmonte together and Johnston also when he broke the record.
Remember Trip, there’s RUK for the hardcore racing fans.
tbh I agree with both of you, Jac and Kev. Very much enjoyed all the features you mention, Kev… And as ex-jockey presenters go – I quite like Weaver too.
Jac’s right about Matt Chapman, he’s way OTT for my liking (or suspect most people’s) and knows nothing about form. But presumably not there for true racing enthusiasts benefit. Romeo and Juliet was just rubbish, but may be they feel a need to make each programme different/supposedly interesting for their clients. Luke is trying too hard to be funny and forgetting it’s a Racing programme. Fashion interests some day time TV viewers so suppose they have to go there, but it’s the same old same old. Do wonder whether the Fashion sections puts off just as many racegoers as attracts. Feel like shouting at them, “you don’t have to wear a suit or an expensive dress to go Racing”! It’s not what you wear that matters, it’s what’s in the heart and mind that counts.
Value Is Everythingand knows nothing about form.
He must know something about it..?
Gaelic Warrior Gold Cup Winner 2026
Not that I can see, Nathan.
One person on there that does is Hoiles and he rarely gets a look in.Value Is EverythingIt’s not Chapman’s job to talk about form really though, he says what the odds are likewise Hoiles job is commentator. Personally I think Chapman could do the lead role and/or spout the form if needed.
Gaelic Warrior Gold Cup Winner 2026
I think that would be the moment that I splashed out on lifetime RUK membership Nathan..LOL
My vote goes to putting him in the Social Stable and throwing away the key.
Totally agree with Gingers last comment about what you wear to the races, I just know that so many will turn up at Newmarket tomorrow looking just like those ladies and gents interviewed today at York, yes even the guy in the floral trousers and no socks
and just because they think that is the norm for a day at the races when the truth is no hat or suit required just smart casual along with a love of horses and a determination to beat the bookie, that is the recipe for a great day out. 
JacThings turn out best for those who make the best of how things turn out...But a lot of women do actually want somewhere to go where they can wear that expensive outfit that they bought for someone’s wedding and would like a reason to wear it again. I’m really loving the ITV racing coverage, and even Chapman doesn’t irritate me as much now. What they do try to impress on people is that racing is actually fun and not deadly serious. The icing on the cake for me would be for Ollie and Lucy to fall madly in love and live happily ever after…
Oh Moe I really do understand exactly what you’re saying being in the same predicament myself re the wedding outfit I splashed out on this year, but in my case it will never get to go racing as climbing up to my fav vantage point to watch the racing would be darn right indecent and my shoes wouldn’t last five minutes with all the trips from paddock to bookie during the course of the day.
If I were to going to put all my bets on the tote at the beginning of the day, head straight to the champagne bar and remain static all day watching all the action on the in house TV then that outfit would have been just the job.Lucy and Olly would have been great choices for Strictly this year wouldn’t they Moe?
Things turn out best for those who make the best of how things turn out...My imagination is running away with me now, Jac. LOL
tbh I’ll probably be showing my ugly mug at Goodwood tomorrow in jacket, tie and Goodwood hat (as seen on front cover of a Racing Post). Nothing wrong with dressing up if that’s what the racegoer wants to, Moe. Just think they should show other clothes on TV too; so people can see it’s not all the same kind of dress code. Watching TV you could be excused for thinking it’s all about either the posh set/rich, showing yourself off or drinking parties, or all three. Many at home will be thinking all very well, but not for me.
Value Is EverythingAgree with all of this. I occasionally dress up if I’m going with a group, though even then, priority is something that still allows for dashing about between paddock, course, bookie and bar. More often not though and I’m sure the obsession with high end fashion does put people off going racing (or mean that they have a miserable day stumbling round in their unsuitable shoes on their first visit). I also wonder if those who ARE interested in fashion actually enjoy the ramblings of these two (whoever they are) anyway. They seem to spend most of the time talking about what they are drinking (though I do usually fast forward or make tea during their bits)
I know it is a little off subject but I feel I had to comment.
Pretty much every time Tracey and I go to the races we make an effort. Unless we are going to Ponte or Donny on a Friday night we both make an effort clothes wise.
I always wear a suit and tie (even at Goodwood where it was bloody hot!!) and Tracey always wears a lovely dress.
Over the last few years we have been Epsom Newmarket Cheltenham Goodwood Doncaster York and a few others .
If it is a big meeting then we would not dream of turning up in jeans and a t shirt and IMO it is part of the veent and enhances the experience to “dress up”.
On many occasions we have seen sights that are eye opening to say the least and it is a bug bear of mine that some people choose to turn up at the races looking like they have just got up and I have no problem with dress codes.
It does bamboozle me that massive groups of people turn up at the races having paid upwards of fifty quid to get in then sit around a bar getting smashed with no interest in the horses or the races.
As far as fashion on the telly I am in the group that would say yes it is a necessary evil during Royal Ascot but other meetings are a no no for me.
Okay rant over just enjoy the horses and the racing guys and like Tonge says go and make a cup of tea or get the cakes out when the fashion bit is on!! P.S Tracey (Mrsraymo) wore heels the first day of Goodwood then abandoned them for flats for the rest of the week!!
P.P.S How many huge gambles do we have do endure from MC ?
Chapman shouting everything and anything that moves in price has been ‘smashed up’ does annoy me, just like yesterday claiming those in the handicap were smashed up even though a lot of the price was Seniority being a NR.
Still, he’s good at identifying things that would be taboo to mention by anyone else, SP price fudging at Goodwood for example.
On the only occasion I’ve been to Newmarket [retirement present from work] I must admit to stressing about what to wear. As it turned out, it was the worst weather I’ve ever experienced on a racecourse [racing had to be delayed as they were worried about horses being struck by lightning in the stalls] and the rather delicate shoes I was wearing [unusual for me with my mutant feet] proved a godsend as the water ran out through the holes in them. I’ve been to meetings with racing clubs only to find that most people spend their time sitting down in the bar
which I never understand. I do try to look smart’ish when we go to Nottingham because I know we never walk very far there. Other than that, the wedding clothes sit in the wardrobe getting motheaten!I do like he fashion stuff on tv, though, even though my younger attire of ‘hippie chic’ has made way for ‘bag lady’.Moehat you were well turned out at Cheltenham, when I saw you….
I’m not overly confident when dressing up but have enjoyed looking smart on the occasions I’ve been to Ascot.Gaelic Warrior Gold Cup Winner 2026
@raymo
Newmarket’s boutique stall sell more pairs of flip flops during the Summer meeting on the July Course than anything else.
I also have a few pretty summer dresses that I wear for the July Course on big race days, but mainly the white cropped trousers and a cool top has been the norm for me this summer, however, the golden rule is wedge heels with open toes, as Moe pointed out, they let the water run out on a wet day but keep your heels on the ground not 3 inches under. I think you might be able to treat Mrs Raymo to another new outfit with the way your bets are going at the moment Raymo.
@Moe
was that the Craven Meeting in April that you attended when the Craven was won by Stormy Antartic in a thunderstorm? I remember the stands took a giant lightning bolt, the woman standing next to me screamed out loud and the Tote went down along with all the screens, in fact all the electrics. The first we knew of the winner was when he was led back by a soggy lad into the winners enclosure. The worst Newmarket Craven I can ever remember.
@Ginger
Bet you’ll look real dapper tomorrow Ginge, are you going to try out the new mankles look…LOL I’ve just watched all the action at York and that fashion interview with the guys did actually make me laugh.ITV did seem to show a lot more shots of the horses today and Stradivarius winning the million pound bonus was sensational, so pleased for all the stable staff who will share in the owners good fortune. What a sire Sea The Stars is.
Wasn’t so sure about Matt Chapman’s interview with Charlie Hills where he produced the Trophy Vase for the Nunthorpe Winner and kept urging Charlie Hills to put one hand on it. He was obviously uncomfortable with it and did say that he was superstitious, but Chappers kept insisting until CH did actually touch it, albeit briefly. Being superstitious about certain things myself I felt that was insensitive and unnecessary.
Apart from that incident a much better show than yesterday.
Things turn out best for those who make the best of how things turn out...
and just because they think that is the norm for a day at the races when the truth is no hat or suit required just smart casual along with a love of horses and a determination to beat the bookie, that is the recipe for a great day out. 
Jac
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