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“Racing, for me, without betting… I wouldn’t be that interested.”
His exact words in the build-up to Thistlecrack’s race today, live on ATR. Shouldn’t it be a pre-requisite for presenters of any sport to have a genuine passion for it?
I agree.
Robot Cooper, has not got a passionate bone in his body. He has many fans on here, I think Ginger and bosranic like him a lot but for me his ideal job would be to put children to sleep reading bed time stories.Gaelic Warrior Gold Cup Winner 2026
I agree.
Robot Cooper, has not got a passionate bone in his body. He has many fans on here, I think Ginger and bosranic like him a lot but for me his ideal job would be to put children to sleep reading bed time stories.I wouldn’t say I like Robert Cooper a lot, do appreciate the work he does though. imo It’s good/important to have a wide range of different styles in presenters/analysts. My favourites are Hislop, Mellish, Cunningham and Freemantle, I recognise they wouldn’t be to everyones taste and if all on TV were like those four it would be boring. Cooper doesn’t know the sport as comprehensively as some, but brings a certain amateurish charm to proceedings. I probably laugh more when am watching him than any other presenter. In many ways Robert reminds me of you Nathan.
Value Is EverythingBloody hell Ginge.
I nearly choked on my sweet and sour chicken ball when reading thatGaelic Warrior Gold Cup Winner 2026
.. a certain amateurish charm…
Or bumbling ineptitude, depending on your viewpoint.
I’ve always thought that he was a crap presenter but believed that he may have a passion for the sport which justifies his continued employment. His admission that he wouldn’t follow racing but for the betting is shocking and proof that he should be given the boot.
I’d say his views are in line with most of the racing public. The majority of followers of the sport wouldn’t give a rat’s backside about it if not for the punting. Nothing wrong with that by the way, every sport has unique qualities and racing’s (dogs included obviously) is the intrinsic link to gambling.
Agreed Richard, I love racing for many reasons other than betting. Got interested in racing through a love of horses. But for a lot of people the reason why they love racing – and they do still “love racing” – is primarily to do with betting. There’s nothing wrong with that.
Value Is EverythingI like him. He isn’t perfect but he doesn’t pretend to be. He’s similar to the way James may was on top gear, the sort of bumbling presenting and a dry wit. He’s actually funny enough at times. I wouldn’t say he really meant what he said about betting. You have to remember that he is presenting a long programme and has to say a lot, its not unreasonable to forgive a person saying one stupid thing.
I prefer him to any of the racing UK presenters. They are awfully boring in comparison to cooper.
I keep wanting to finish his sentences for him
He must be murder to work with as a co-presenter !
I taped ATR yesterday and have just watched the race for the first time. I did a double take and had to rewind just to make sure he had said that. Thank goodness he came out with that comment on a dedicated racing channel and not C4/ITV where we’re trying to attract new people to the sport.
Genuine nice guy
Always see him at the oval test each year and one time had a good conversation with him about racing.
I think there is a tendency on forums to obsess about presenters “knowledge” (usually meaning stats) but as we all know, spending time with a weirdo anorak is as appealing as cleaning the bogs at an old peoples home for the chronically incontinent
I think there is a tendency on forums to obsess about presenters “knowledge” (usually meaning stats) but as we all know, spending time with a weirdo anorak is as appealing as cleaning the bogs at an old peoples home for the chronically incontinent
Whilst I agree with you, the opening post in this thread is about Cooper’s passion, not his knowledge.
He is the most dull, boring racing presenter there is.
If you want a cure for insomnia he’s yer man.
I think there is a tendency on forums to obsess about presenters “knowledge” (usually meaning stats) but as we all know, spending time with a weirdo anorak is as appealing as cleaning the bogs at an old peoples home for the chronically incontinent
Whilst I agree with you, the opening post in this thread is about Cooper’s passion, not his knowledge.
People have a racing passion for many different reasons Gladiateur. Cooper’s passion for racing starts with betting. ie No doubt loving (as most of us do) other aspects of racing too. It’s just that in his case that “love” for all that is Racing is instigated by betting – rather than horses or something else. Is he not just saying if betting is taken away he wouldn’t be interested in the other aspects? Which is true for many racing enthusiasts and fair enough imo.
I became interested as a youngster because of a love of horses. If horses were replaced by humans or greyhounds or camels I (even now) wouldn’t be interested. But the love of horses has led me to love many other aspects of racing – including beating those bookies (betting).
imo Doesn’t matter to me why someone is interested in horse racing, whether a presenter or punter etc.
Value Is EverythingWith regard to being passionate, I don’t think Robert’s deadpan demeanor necessarily
outwardly shows this, but it’s just his way. I can understand why some people might
not get him, and I think his comment about not being interested without betting might
have been a little tongue in cheek, if not it was a throw away comment on the spur of
the moment. He might have said it adds to the excitement when you have a bet on, which
I think is the case. I’ve no doubt he does love the sport, in his own low key kind of
a way. I can’t help it, I just really like the guy, he makes me smile with his delivery
and expressions, or lack of them at times. He’s definitely not going to be everyones cup
of tea, and I doubt he would fit into any new upbeat super duper racing channel, perhaps
as in the new ITV team (or so they hope), but I hope he keeps his place where he is for
some time to come.mr cooper really makes me laugh with his dead pan face. which in truth never changes. funny man
Personally I find him to be a somewhat buffoon like character.
Now in the normal sense that would be a stinging criticism. However in the somewhat vacuous, sycophantic world of racing presenters and pundits, that really isn’t too bad.
I would much rather listen to him than the self obsessed, hot air merchant “Thommo”, or any of the other , avoid the real question, pedlars.
Not really high praise I know, but that is more a reflection on the dire competition.
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