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He reminds me a lot of Robert Cooper, in that he excels at the lower end of the racing market. I’m sure he enjoyed the likes of Cheltenham, York, Newmarket etc when working for C4 Racing, but I enjoy him more at the mundane meetings. I worked in a bookies for a good few years in the 90s and always looked forward to him commentating for SIS at a run-of-the-mill midweek meeting. He’d tell us how big a day this was for Thirsk/Pontefract/Yarmouth etc, then pick out the feature race/horse/fact with such enthusiasm. Like you, Ian, I’m a genuine fan although I do feel there’s a pretty big ego in there too.
I’m a commen-tater. Genius.
He’s always fascinated me. Definitely a bit of Partridge in him.
I remember during my time working in Coral, a greyhound called Didlo. Unsurprisingly the commentator got it wrong during one race and there was silence for a good few seconds as he no doubt descended into hysterics, off-mic.
I was fearing this update, Prong. I’d backed the horse as it was the only one the trainer had sent over from Ireland (my interest in longest travellers has previously been documented on here). My initial annoyance at the horse finishing last was soon dissipated when I realised it had been pulled up, having “lost its action” as the RP comments so opaquely put it.
For some reason, taking an empty horse box back to Ireland on a ferry seems even more distressing, somehow.
I remember hearing a Chairman of Glamorgan Cricket Club refer to the redeveloped Swalec Stadium (Sophia Gardens, as was) as a conference centre that occasionally hosted cricket matches during the summer.
The meeting soon to be introduced euphemistically on ATR as being a “competitive card”.
Thanks all for the replies, very interesting – I’m just relieved it wasn’t a stupid question! Seriously though, Ken sounds quite unique, having carved himself a niche reputation. Just good to see him getting some more air time and long may that continue.
Any news on Ronald Pump in the same race? Took a crashing fall at the last and lay motionless for a good few seconds afterwards. Fingers crossed it was just tiredness as I’ve not seen anything to suggest it was worse than that.
Thanks Simon. Always look forward to these dropping into my Podcast list every week, although, whisper it quietly, I much prefer it when you’re the one on the mic
Agree on Bet365. My preferred choice, if and when possible. In addition to their two daily 4/1 offer races – bumped up to cover every live ITV race – they are regularly the biggest price on Oddschecker. They’ve also recently starting offering a Bet Boost on one horse in each race. Although you lose the BOG, it’s very tempting when they can be a point bigger than the other firms, then offer a further half point on top.
Yes, got my southern courses mixed up. It didn’t sound good but hopefully it had a happy ending.
Thanks for the replies. I’d half-guessed they were employees but the sheer number of jumps/hurdles at some of the courses made me think twice. The fact that some of them are only employed on race days makes more sense.
Thanks AP, I hadn’t realised that. I guess the contrary argument to that is that my horse won, so I didn’t profit from the extra place. I could understand it a little more had my horse finished in the extra-place position, i.e. 4th or 5th usually.
I’m not sure, Cormack. However, linked it to this in their reply was the “you agreed to this when you registered” line from the customer service operative. Defeatist of me I know, but arguing with a bookie feels like arguing with a firm like Sports Direct or Ryanair. Pointless.
I’m not a regular to the Betfred website – maybe that’s the rub here – but do find the subsequent Rewards For Racing points to be a handy benefit. This is the only reason I’ve kept the account open. On the other hand, despite not being either a big or particularly successful punter, I’ve recently had three bookmakers – 888Sport, Betway and Unibet – rescind all promotions from my account, such as Best Odds Guaranteed, free bets, boosts (Unibet) etc. No reason was given whatsoever. I never take it out on the member of staff relaying the message, but it really annoys me. It’s most definitely a one-way street with some bookies, where they suddenly go cold on you for whatever reason. In the case of these three, I threw my toys out of the pram and closed my accounts. Cloak-and-dagger communication skills really grate on me.
