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John Inverdale
Steve Cram
Matt BakerI disagree with Inverdale, Cram and Baker not getting kept. Cram is polished. Inverdale is a professional and frankly, Baker was giving gymnastics some excitement – I thought he was great.
It’s great that Balding will be on CH4. I agree with those who have said Mellish, Hyslop and Cunningham should come over to council telly too. But they will have to be careful with whom they match Balding. The chemistry between her and Ian Thorpe at the Aquatics Centre was interesting. She’s definitely one to be in charge, rightfully so given her authoritative delivery which the likes of T will not cope with, but how McGrath, Plunkett and Luck would deal with that remains to be seen!!! Watched Alex Hammond on At the Races from Bath today. Give her the Spencer shift – awesome!!!
If the politicians, of all or any persuasions, are being driven by the anti-lobby then it is time to look at a dramatic shift as they have the momentum.
Never mind the economic turnover the race generates – Cameron is too in thrall to the Chipping Norton set of his constituency and social circle even to consider it.
gc
I take your point about banning it, but not entirely convinced that the National would easily escape the attentions of the Coalition’s leftwing as far as an appeasement strategy is considered. I think it is too easy a target – if Labour was in coalition with the Libs on Monday I think it might be a different story! Sorry – here endeth the politics!
Another great race – any further changes should be approached with caution I reckon.
On the Scots National thread posters have helpfully listed a rundown of all fatalities since 1979 – if speed or number of runners are such an issue then why has the first fence not been the scene of any fatalities over the years? I don’t know if such stats exist to analyse the speed over particular stretches of the course, but would imagine that the ‘cavalry charge’ to the first is unmatched for speed over the rest of the course and obviously all are standing. So if speed is not at issue then why not drop the number of fences by say four (of 30), it may increase overall speed, but – in a fittingly politically incorrect tone – speed doesn’t kill (unlike the bottom of the hill fence at Cheltenham), I would suggest, if the fatalities undergo analysis.
I agree with those who are suggesting that the overall character of Becher’s should undergo a drastic reduction now rather then piecemeal over the last few years.
I also think the issue of some investment by the racing authorities to look at clever ways to encouraging loose horses from the course should be considered – for racing generally. I don’t know if such a facility exists, but, with the tragic manner by which Syncronised died, as well as watching the unedifying sight of at least one loose horse getting its hind legs caught in the take off side of one of the early fences in Saturday’s races, it would be useful to examine.
If the by-pass trail round the fences is only open for use when an incident otherwise engages a fence then why not open them for the whole race to encourage loose horses?
If not already fully aware, the racing enthusiast should be quite certain that a mainstream media will exists to bring down the National, and in turn racing. I was abroad on Saturday and only had access to Sky News (UK) International. The mention of the National consisted of the racing been ‘marred’ by the deaths and footage of Syncronised being led by the photographer when he was caught from being loose. No footage of the race at all – no mention of the winner. If the politicians, of all or any persuasions, are being driven by the anti-lobby then it is time to look at a dramatic shift as they have the momentum. I don’t think it is enough to say that the race brings huge pleasure to many as I can name many who will simply not watch the race and many who – if they are told that the black screens are a horse or rider in distress – will immediately become completely disinterested or vocally political depending on whether alcohol has been taken! Whichever way, the anti-lobby will always have an ear if they get their pitch right. It is not worth risking the whole sport for.
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re "big occasion voice", should BBC decide to put Croc out to grass (big if based on past history of keeping their main broadcasters well past their sell-by date), I would say (IMVHO) any one of Hoiles, Johnson & Hunt could fit that bill. It wouldn’t suprise me if John Hunt got switched from Radio to TV should this situation arise (Crusty would love it
!)I think they’d be great too but think of the BBC voices – it seems as if there’s a hereditary aspect to the first choice callers: O’Sullivan-McGrath(he was on the scene with few to choose from)-Bartlett! Their voices all have that certain something which the BBC looks for, or believes fits with the BBC viewers interpretation of what voices in racing should be. Hoiles, Johnston & Hunt don’t automatically sit well with that although, by and large, I agree that their top class. BBC Racing is becoming less important by the year so whilst Bartlett is not the racing enthusiasts commentator, he’s perfect for the barbour/tweed/rosy faced impression of racing that the once a year GN punter associates with racing!! Probably why the racing man’s commmentators like Hoiles steer clear of the BBC. If Richard still posts here, I would love to know if he would accept BBC contract for the National alone or if he is happy to course comment on the big day….
There does seem, to me at least, a generational gap in the quality of commentaries. Hoiles, and to a lesser extent now Hoiles is starting to pinnacle, Holt, are head and shoulders above the likes of McGrath. Both have perhaps been brought up on more advanced techniques for viewing/preparing for a race than McGrath and he’s not moved with the times.
O’Sullivan had a big occasion voice, similiar to Walker in F1, and would perhaps not have been as popular a choice nowadays with so much televised racing (ATR and RUK). Many of the roster are competent but, with the exception of Bartlett, do not have the BBC voice. Minus McGrath, who I reckon also does, it is surely Bartlett’s by default.
I think McGrath’s commentaries are lacking excitement, like a guy who’s been for too long turning up at the course and taking himself off to the booth without much attention to where he is. Tommo, even on a wet Wednesday at Wolverhampton, still conveys enthusiasm. I think McGrath is worried, perhaps rightfully so, and others such as Tommo and Owen have less to worry about under review.
During the parade for the Derby, circa 1993 I’d reckon, Channel 4 played Enya’s The Celts which is a terrifically dramatic piece of music.
Since this thread has kicked off, I’ve been listening closely to DF’s commentary. He’s impressive. A good example of his depth of knowledge at today’s Southwell meet when, as the 40-1 shot Monte Cassino in the final race crossed the line, he pulled the factoid of it being his first victory in 32 attempts out the bag! That’s fairly good knowledge to have in a field of 13 for a long shot.
Tempted to make the trip if he runs – and for the lunch in Rosies Bistro – but shackled with having Breakfast with Santa at Dobbies. Must get these priorities sorted. Enjoy the day to the followers who might make it if Tom makes the trip (no problem with him making the trip on the course I hasten to add after Hexxy!).
C’mon Tom!!!!!
Francome’s autobiography is a reasonable read – his tales with Smith-Eccles are quite funny, although I think he’d do a better job of a Part II now.
Dave Nevison’s first effort is also quite interesting from a gambling perspective, but I’ve heard it said he has blown all credibility as an interesting writer with his second effort.
Less likely over jumps surely as they’ve got to leave the ground.
Are you saying you only received 50% refund? That’s disgusting, the least they could do is give complimentary tickets for a future meeting.No complimentaries unfortunately. I was in East Lothian from around 10.45am and the winds were quite high then, although it was not accompanied by any rain. I think it did catch them off guard and think it was jockeys after first who reported high winds. If there was a whiff of abandonment then staff should have been pointing out that punters should keep tickets when they bought them.
That on the same day, as fans of racing, we can enjoy the theatre of Cheltenham but also be absorbed by a Sedgefield or Southwell card
The homely smell of roast from Rosie’s, and the familiar, rural smell of horses^$& as one enters Kelso racecourse!
That fans of the sport can enjoy their favoured pursuit on a daily basis, unrivalled by other sports, and he build up to season finales such as Cheltenham as only true followers may appreciate the sheer excitement
By that I take it you mean it would have turned the course into a Wolves of the North. At risk of pulling my head firmly on the block, I will anyway!, I think Scottish racing could easily lose Musselburgh, flat anyway, to the all-weather. It is the least characterful for flat racing of the Scottish tracks by a mile – and the relatively recent developments – sorry if I offend the facilities, but concede they are a definite improvement – look as if they were initiated in anticipation of regular, all-weather racing.
Where else in the central belt would there be the appetite, not to mention passing planning consent hurdles, for a new Scottish track? Strategically from Scottish Racing’s viewpoint it would perhaps be best in the south Lanarkshire area…you will likely know more of whether it is viable but I suspect not..
Cheers Rob – shame on both fronts really! I thought I’d read recently that the AW at Musselburgh was not totally ruled out, although very vociferous local opposition was noted pre-2007.
What a shambles the Morning Line is. If Big Mac could mention Harrow and Lord Snooty once more, it is incredibly repetitive, I actively turn off now whereas before would have it in the background. The clear source of entertainment for Big Mac with Luck may have been funny for about a year after Luck started appearing on Channel 4, but now is just boring.
I cannot understand why decent, up-and-coming presenters/enthusiasts such as Luck/Machin/Hoiles cannot move from the occasional Channel 4 comfort zone appearance and ditch the old guard once and for all (akin to what the excellent Lydia did with the BBC).
McCririck is well covered elsewhere, but the likes of Oaksey and Goode saw the writing on the wall as far as their involvement in the frontline shows was concerned, McCririck doesn’t and it is getting embarassing. Granted, in amongst the utterly tedious, prejudice, guff, he can still deliver some good journalism but no-one can possibly either anymore take him seriously (no surprise maybe) as find him funny. I’m afraid from what I watched this morning none of the others even merit a mention – sorry.
If you’re north of the Border my recommended courses from worst to best would be: Ayr – Musselburgh – Hamilton – Kelso – Perth, unless you are a huge fan of the bigger fixtures in which case reverse that. I look for character in a course and Perth and Kelso have bags of it.
McCririck is at his best on the ATR Forum shows, he should bow out graciously and be content with that. Like many others on here, I was attracted to racing by watching that strange man in mad hats touching his upper body furiously on a Saturday afternoon on my TV screen.
He was unusual and his rudeness part of the routine. If he is rude now he just seems like a snappy old man and when was the last time his hat was seen bobbing in the betting ‘jungle’ anyhow. If I was CH4 Racing’s Producer then I would save costs by doing away with a betting expert on the show in favour of more punditry. Any exchange moves or betting revelations can be found as easily on-line or just run it on the bottom of the screen. McCririck has said some nasty things over the years and I cannot begin to say he is a pleasant man but at least he is a better racing expert than all of the other old guard on CH4 (except Fat Al and Thommo – for different reasons).Favourite Racecourse? Perth or Haydock Park
Favourite Race? Foxhunters
What sort of races do you prefer? Chases or Sprints
Favourite Ever Jockey? Steve Smith-Eccles
Favourite Ever Horse? Flying Ace
First Racecourse you ever went to? Ayr
What you like about racing? The buzz of the course
What you dont like about racing? The cliqueness of the ‘in’ set
Favourite ever Owner? JP
Favourite ever Trainer? Nicky Henderson
Favourite type of bet(if you do)? Lucky 15
Favourite Ever Race Commentator? Hoiles
Favourite Other Sports? Football, Winter Sports, Athletics, Tennis
Best Race ever seen? Scottish National 1989
If you could improve racing and the racing experience by doing one thing what would it be? Increase the number and maintain the welfare of horses in training by enlarging horse ownership thus breaking down the snobbery of separate enclosures at racecourses
