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Thing is his enthusiasm is 2nd to none and thats all i care about, i like to hear the commentator getting overexcited, most of them are boring jobsworths as it is, Matt Chapman is a dying breed, what happened to the days when racing was a fun, enjoyable national sport and not the feeble business that its becoming?
Thing is his enthusiasm is 2nd to none and thats all i care about, i like to hear the commentator getting overexcited, most of them are boring jobsworths as it is, Matt Chapman is a dying breed, what happened to the days when racing was a fun, enjoyable national sport and not the feeble business that its becoming?
Unfortunately Jack you appear to have everything back to front, I don’t recall anyone like Chapman in the past and as he is new on the scene how can he be a dying breed? Frankly if they were all like him they would be welcome to die in my book.
I would suggest Benaud, Longhurst, O’Sullevan etc to you. There used to be a rule for commentators at the BBC which said "Only talk if you can add to the pictures" It has stood the test of time and is still valid today although it may be a bit more difficult to find.
The complete opposite is the case with Chapman I’m afraid, unadulterated drivel for several minutes before and during a race with no let up, if you need a step by step account of a loose horse much of it repetitive with no breaks when there’s a big screen then I suggest there’s a problem with the viewer.
It’s funny how all the other commentators don’t do it Jack, do you think they’ve all got it wrong, some of whom have been commentating for many years?
You may also want to ask yourself why some of his broadcasting colleagues appear to enjoy his style and loud mouth as little as some of the viewers.Perhaps its arrogance or taking having a rhino hide to the extreme but it’s very sad that he hasn’t got more self-awareness or that the powers-that-be don’t make efforts to rein him in.
One thing Matt does not have is a rhino hide as I discovered when I wrote about his presenting at Ascot on Shergar Cup day.
Perhaps its arrogance or taking having a rhino hide to the extreme but it’s very sad that he hasn’t got more self-awareness or that the powers-that-be don’t make efforts to rein him in.
One thing Matt does not have is a rhino hide as I discovered when I wrote about his presenting at Ascot on Shergar Cup day.
Have just re-read your excellent article on your website, Paul, about Marmite Racing. Very readable and interesting.
These are the relevant bits from the Shergar Cup day article regarding Matt Chapman and Tommo. It’s certainly worth another read in view of recent posts on this website.
I assume there must have been an unfortunate and unwelcome sequel involving Mr Chapman following publication. Shame you’re far too discreet and professional to give further details!——————————————————————————————————————————-
Derek Thompson or, as he likes to be called, Tommo seems to have found a niche presenting “Tommo TV” where he acts as a general all round entertainer and, like him or not, he does have this uncanny knack of engaging with the crowd, something even his most vocal detractors will grudgingly acknowledge.
Last week he was plying his trade at Brighton’s three day festival of racing – giving away freebies (of course none financed from his legendary deep pockets) and hijacking any likely looking suspect be they in a restaurant or by the parade ring, especially if they happened to have long legs and breasts. Personally, I don’t mind Thompsons brand of bonhomie . . . . in moderation.
I agree the Tommo approach and style is no good for the big festivals and major meetings but for the increasing number of family fun days he is the ideal host and he can engage with the first time racegoer. More seasoned racegoers can find him too much and even though I can cope with him in moderation, I had a period last year when I was at the same course as him for five consecutive days and towards the end I almost had to be restrained from doing something deeply unpleasant with his microphone.
By some perverse design the other two Marmite subjects were both at Ascot last Saturday as Matt Chapman co-hosted Shergar Cup day.
I have to confess I am on the “don’t like” side of the fence when it comes to Chapman, give me an afternoon of Tommo any day.
Although, with regards Chapman, I could so easily become a convert.
One area where he is exceptionally good, when he decides to take it seriously, is in interviewing jockeys and trainers, yes he can ask the odd inane questions but on the whole he asks the right questions, and he is actually quite knowledgeable.
Where he goes wrong is he has allowed his public persona to get in the way.
He seems to see himself as the natural successor to John McCririck, in he seems to nurture this arrogant, controversial public persona which deliberately sets out to court controversy.
In the case of McCririck it is a façade, as away from the cameras he could not be more different. The trouble is with the façade McCririck puts up he is viewed in many quarters as, at best an eccentric, at worse a buffoon, which is a great pity as he does have some very pertinent points to make about this sport of ours,
I have only met Chapman twice and I have the feeling he too is a different personality in private.
If he spent more time trying not to be so controversial, not fostering gimmicks like the ridiculous “Yeehaaaa” he would be taken more seriously and, like McCririck I believe he has some valid points to make.
By saying don’t be more controversial the last thing I am saying is don’t stop pointing out what you see as wrongs but go about it in a more measured way, without the histrionics and you will more likely be taken more seriously, instead he is in danger of turning into a caricature of this monster he has created.I have always suspected Matt is probably more sensitive than he makes out and the image he portrays is more perhaps from lack of self esteem than reality which is why I said in the "Is Matt Chapman bored of ATR" thread that he seems to have lost that spark maybe it was that day but he really didn’t seem his usual self last Friday he really seemed genuinely bored and peed off with things.
He has used the quote "nothing more to say about that race so am not going to" a few times recently.
Have just re-read your excellent article on your website, Paul, about Marmite Racing. Very readable and interesting.
These are the relevant bits from the Shergar Cup day article regarding Matt Chapman and Tommo. It’s certainly worth another read in view of recent posts on this website.
I assume there must have been an unfortunate and unwelcome sequel involving Mr Chapman following publication. Shame you’re far too discreet and professional to give further details!.In fairness and in the interests of balance I should also point out I wrote the following about Matt following Champions Day at Ascot
Those of you who read my blog last week will recall my reservations, although they were tempered with the comment that if anybody could pull it off then Matt could and pull it off he did.I am happy to admit I was wrong and I believe Matt managed to get it right on the button. OK there were a couple of occasions when I feared his natural exuberance may have gotten the better of him but no he was good. Robert Cowell was also a good choice as the straight man to Matt.
And you are correct Crusty I would never reveal the contents of personal communications.
I would also add that Towcester TV, which Matt presents has grown on me – he "toned it down" a bit this season and it was much better – some of his pre-race interviews with trainers were actually quite informative. Again he was playing it a bit straighter and as a result connections inclined to open up to him more.
Have just been watching the replays of the races from Musselburgh yesterday and what a great job commentator Alan Howes did in difficult weather conditions.
In the lady amateur riders’ race, he managed to give a name-check on the far side to every one of the jockeys from start to finish and also mentioned races some of the horses had won.
He showed commendable willingness to give good value, despite what appeared to be driving rain and quite poor visibility.
This wouldn’t have been an easy task because Musselburgh has been known over the years for being one of the least popular for commentators and is one of the most difficult for them, from a working point of view.
Full marks to him for his extra efforts. It’s a photo finish between Alan and David Fitzgerald for who puts the most effort in to their commentaries.
I had to smile in a race at Brighton on Tuesday when David even managed to go the extra mile and say: "That’s one for Judge Felix Wheeler" at the end of one of the races.
Not unique, but nice to give the judge a mention. Mike Cattermole has occasionally said things like: "That’s one for you, Dave Smith."
I’m ashamed to admit it but I actually enjoyed Matt Chapman’s commentaries from Newton Abbot on Monday, having watched them today. Now that I’ve got over the groan factor and built up immunity, I quite liked listening to them.
The contrast between Matt’s over-the-top efforts and the more measured, controlled style of Martin Harris in a jumps meeting at Southwell on Tuesday could not have been greater.Just going through some form for Ascot
Jim McGrath commentating on a four runner race at Kempton.
Lyric Ace is called Lyric Fantasy, and Chilworth Icon is Chilworth Ace.
Four runners.
Garbage. The sport needs better.
Just going through some form for Ascot
Jim McGrath commentating on a four runner race at Kempton.
Lyric Ace is called Lyric Fantasy, and Chilworth Icon is Chilworth Ace.
Four runners.
Garbage. The sport needs better.
Oddly enough I was watching the same race myself this evening and had to replay it as I just thought I was tired and my ears were deceiving me – they weren’t.
Commentary on both ATR and RUK has reached such a low level, I have started to hit the mute button for the duration of the race.
Commentary on both ATR and RUK has reached such a low level, I have started to hit the mute button for the duration of the race.
Generally, the standards of racecourse commentary are very good and often excellent.
I suspect most people at racecourses or watching in betting shops don’t even notice the individual styles of commentators or the efforts many of them put in, as long as they are being told which horse is in the lead and which two or three are behind.
The mistakes occasionally made are absolutely miniscule by comparison with the highly reliable and accurate service which is usually provided.
I can never understand why so many people say they turn the volume off when watching races. To me, it’s cutting off your nose to spite your face. Unless you have the colours to hand and are exceptionally good at race-reading or are exceptionally good at spotting numbers on number cloths, you are in effect watching the race blind.
I usually don’t have a newspaper with me when I am watching racing so wouldn’t have a clue who was in the lead or, indeed, even the names of the horses. People rely almost completely on the commentator without even realising it.
Anyone who watches a race in silence is being a fool to themselves and is making it much more difficult for themselves, not to mention losing any atmosphere the commentator may manage to create.
The same goes for presenters and pundits on the racing channels. They get a lot of criticism but they do an invaluable job, even when talking through the replays of the closing stages. We all have our favourites and those we are not so keen on but the job certainly isn’t always an easy one.Gareth Topham would seem to be a good addition to the training ranks for commentators.
Is sharing the duties with Stewart Machin at Haydock this afternoon – has just done the 3.40 race, his first.
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.
Ernie Machin, the former Coventry City footballer died recently. I believe he was Stewart’s father, so condolences to Stewart and kin
Ernie Machin, the former Coventry City footballer died recently. I believe he was Stewart’s father, so condolences to Stewart and kin
What sad news, my condolences to Stewart and his family
Gareth Topham would seem to be a good addition to the training ranks for commentators.
Is sharing the duties with Stewart Machin at Haydock this afternoon – has just done the 3.40 race, his first.
gc
Just heard the replay on RUK. Thought he did a good job and look forward to hearing more from him in the future.
Did anyone just see Chapman doing the announcements at Ascot I had to turn over I felt embarrassed for all the jockeys concerned it really was so over the top even for Chapman’s standards.
I have not heard anything like it Ascot really need to review this and see if it’s appropriate.
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