- This topic has 30 replies, 20 voices, and was last updated 14 years, 2 months ago by
.
-
Posts
-
The recipient of your lovingly-penned questions this week is none other than ATR’s Matt ‘Chappers’ Chapman.
Firstly, Matt just wanted to say:
Dear all,
I was certainly expecting a bit more stick from you – I’m used to being slagged left, right and centre on the Racing Forum! I’ve often wondered about posting myself, but it’s the same as with other forums; if I started I’d never stop so I have never posted on a forum anywhere ever before. This is a first for me then. Thanks for the questions and I will do my best to answer them. All the best Matt[/color:3fgfkuns]Matt, have you really auditioned for the X Factor in your time and do you believe you have the ability to win such a contest?
You often refer to British racing as "the best in the world." What makes it the "best in the world" in your opinion?I used to refer to British racing as the best in the world – but no longer. It is not. That said, its best asset is its variety. In every sense – jumps and flat, courses, racegoers.
Is it true that you will be on the rota as a course commentator in 2011? If that is true, how similar would your style be compared to your hilarious stand-in attempts on ATR?
Who is your favourite "regular" guest on Get On?
Thank You, Jose.When will the now 11yo Pablo be returning to the track after his 5 year absence and winning a race so you can come over to us in Ireland and Olly Brady can dish out his punishment?
Wow. What a very clever Gold Cup hero! I am told Pablo is doing well – but he will not stay two miles over hurdles and is 100 years old now. I have won this battle and Oliver has lost. Mind you Oliver has won battles against terrible illness and this far more important
Hi Matt
I cant be bothered to pay good money to listen to the majority of the racing media (sycophants) these days but I’ve always marked you down as one of the better ones.
To what extent has the Keith Clarke incident made you more reluctant to offer critical analysis of rides live on air?
Why in your opinion are the vast majority of the racing media so unwilling to criticise racings insiders? Is it all about inside information in your opinion?
Your unusual in that you appeal to younger fans of the sport yet combine that with a good knowledge of racing. Generally it seems to be one or the other as far as racing is concerned at the moment. What advice would you give to racings rulers to get more young people interested in racing? i.e. horses as opposed to drinkingIncentives for parents to take their children racing is the key for me. Just get them into it. Family packages, children free. A race meeting with activites for kids. I also think we should highlight the challenge – the fact it is a difficult sport. Computer games are tricky – they need hours of time to solve them. Racing is not an easy sport to grasp – but once you do it is like have a constant companion.
How important is betting to racing?
Many thanksPaul Fitzgerald
Hi Matt.
I echo Cavelino Rampante’s remarks about your talents.
1) What qualities make a good broadcaster?
2) What qualities make a good writer?
3) Are the two mutually exclusive?I’d like to think I can write and present. But I have never been taught either and have never been given any advise whatsoever on either count!
4) Why should someone like me, who hardly ever bothers to read The Weekender these days and usually regards it as a waste of money and time when I do, change their ways?
5) What do you think the world of racing broadcasting will be like in 5 years from now?Abou
6) What do you think the wider world of racing and betting will be like in 5 years from now?
Hopefully the Tote will have had a revamp. But it is far from certain and British punters don’t like Tote betting.
7) Which racing pundits and commentators do you respect (and please don’t go all native on us here!)
8. Where do you get your tan? Caribbean? Thailand? Tanfastic tanning salon?
9) If you were in charge of racing for one day what one (realistically obtainable) change would you make?
10) What are the plans for Matt Chapman in the future?Employment. I’d love to have a go on Channel 4 of course but it is a RUK production and they think I am rubbish.
Hi Matt,
Big fan from the days when Stateside was primarily a laugh and wish you the best for the future.
What do you thnk about the increasing (and seemingly relentless) trend for broadcast companies to employ ex-sportsmen as presenters/pundits? Is there a place left at the table for the clued up amateur?
CheersMax
(1) Two dedicated Racing Channels yet it appears you are the only broadcaster able to handle a telephone show. How disappointing do you think that situation is?
(2) Is it your own choice to be studio based rather than do the racecourse presentation?
(3) If there are any which trainers/jockeys have refused to do Get On?Jim Bolger. Not sure there are many more. But there are plenty I would not phone as it would be pointless.
(4) When a horse pulls too hard it seems as if it is just accepted as an excuse as to why a horse loses. Why do broadcasters never criticise jockeys or trainers in this respect? Fallon, in particular appears to ride more than his fair share of horses that pull too hard – that can’t just be coincidence.
(5) What’s been your funniest moment as a broadcaster? Referring back to (1) one of the funniest moments for me came in the days of the old Racing Channel when someone called in to recover an old gambling debt from The Weaver – priceless TV.
However much those within the industry may bang on about the likes of Luck and Balding you are best Racing broadcaster bar none – keep up the good work.Very kind words and many would disagree – as you will know from being on The Racing Forum!
1) How did you break into the business?
2) How seamless was your progression?
3) Best and worst moments in racing?
4) Does winning the ‘World cup of broadcasting’ actually mean anything to you?Yes it does. Why not? I’ve always found in life winning is more fun than losing. And I got a Weekender column out of it which I love writing. I think it meant people have finally begun to understand what I do – for all that there will always be haters.
Congratulations Matt on a fruitful career so far, lets hope that its not the pinnacle.
A couple of quick questions, of all the racing trainers, jockeys and owners that you have had the pleasure to speak to about a horses winning chance in your TV role.
1) Who’s advice or recommendation would you follow over a cliff.
2) Who’s advice would you not take with their money.
3) What is your proudest achievement to date, in any walk of life.As far as work – my Legends interview with Henry Cecil. He said to me:”I think it’s amazing how you talk so much.” I’m not sure it was a compliment!
Keep up the good work.
Hello sir,
Among your candid and interesting responses to the
Racing Post
‘s "Questionnaire" feature back in May 2008 was the following, which has particularly stuck with me as it summarises my own views on the need to uphold the quantity of racing very succinctly;
"
Racing Post:
Do you think there is too much racing in Britain?
The fixture list frustrates me and I feel for BHA Racing Director Ruth Quinn who is one of the most intelligent people in racing with an impossible task. I’m not sure there will be many less fixtures next year, although numbers will go down. I think during the week we need 3 meetings in the afternoon, and two in the evening during the summer. No more, no less. We do not need Fridays with six meetings in the afternoon etc. Punters need time to study, but enough racing to keep them interested.
Matt:
Generally, punters want a quick fix. If racing is to provide it there has to be plenty of it at most times of the day. Of course, those of us who are racing nuts would like to see better racing more of the time – but there are simply not enough good horses to allow that. I’m not sure who would benefit from less racing".
It looks, however, as if less racing is exactly what we’re heading towards in 2011. What hopes and fears do you have regarding how the reduction of the fixture list is implemented (in terms, perhaps, of days and types of meeting affected)? What would you regard as the best and worst case scenarios?
Many thanks in advance,
Jeremy
(graysonscolumn)Adoptive father of two. The patron saint of lower-grade fare. A gently critical friend of point-to-pointing. Kindness is a political act.
Hi Matt,
Congratulations on your recent(ish) award. Just shows what most of the racing public think of you. Certainly done your bit to popularise our sport. Though can’t say I am a fan, can’t please everyone.
In the past you’ve seemed to court contoversey and (don’t know if this is true) seemed to say things merely to get a reaction from your viewers.
However, you’re beginning to grow on me Matt.Have you made a deliberate effort to change?
You are one of the best interviewers on TV, particularly liked the one with Henry Cecil.Good luck for the future.
Mark
(Gingertipster)
The Real Orange Chappers!Value Is EverythingMatt,
I thoroughly enjoy listening to your thoughts on ATR, as someone as else has said you appeal to the young cubs such as myself.
How did you get involved in the game, and get to where you are today? Did you always know this is what you would do for a living in school/college?
Tommy
(thehorsesmouth)- Total Posts 17716
I’d like to say "thank you", too, for the Henry Cecil and recent Paul Nicholls pieces. You got them marvellously relaxed and enabled us to see the true people underneath the public masks. Well done!
I’d like to know, which broadcasters have influenced or inspired you most in developing your own, inimitable style?
Hey Pinza. Nice in the Derby! I like Jonathan Ross and Jeremy Clarkson. I can’t say I’ve been really influenced by anyone. I just do my thing. But I think they interview well and get their guests relaxed.
Hello Matt
In your ‘On the Line’ show you seem remarkably patient when dealing with some of the callers, lots of whom seem to have little intelligence or are just ‘pocket-talking’? Where does this patience come from and does someone actually screen the calls you receive?!
Also, do you find it as frustrating as I that ATR cut to an ad-break a few minutes before the off, only returning as nearly all the horses are loaded, meaning that we miss shots of the horses in the crucial few minutes before the off? I understand that ATR is (sort of) free-to-air but surely this is doing a disservice to punters?
Cheers
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.