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Community Forums => Betting Tips and Sport Discussion => Topic started by: TightEnd on November 20, 2015, 03:12:05 PM



Title: channel 4 racing - a "complete yawn"
Post by: TightEnd on November 20, 2015, 03:12:05 PM
agree or disagree?

http://www.racingpost.com/news/horse-racing/david-redvers-sheikh-fahad-al-thani-qipco-blames-channel-4-for-shrinking-audience/1992014/top/#newsArchiveTabs=last7DaysNews


Title: Re: channel 4 racing - a "complete yawn"
Post by: AlunB on November 20, 2015, 03:22:10 PM
Really interesting to see that point of view. I think the complete opposite.

It's a total yawn because it spends SO much time interviewing and talking to owners and various random people I couldn't care less about. It's completely alienating to anyone not interested in the whole "world of racing" bollocks, which I would guess is most punters.

Imagine if F1 was just interviews with the owners of the teams and people who worked in the pit lane. That's basically what CH4 racing is.

And saying less betting chat is daft. Let's be honest if you couldn't bet on it about 99.9% of people watching wouldn't bother.


Title: Re: channel 4 racing - a "complete yawn"
Post by: arbboy on November 20, 2015, 03:22:23 PM
Yes.  The coverage is far too corporate.  They went too young with all the presenters and lost a lot of the expertise of the old timers.  Tanya could send anyone to sleep.  She still talks like the betting ring controls the betfair market and not the other way around.  She is clueless and should go and adds nothing to the product imo.  As for 50 minutes a show at the summer meetings with Gok Wan GTFO.  

Down/Big mac/Francome could all do with being brought back.  The experiment hasn't worked.  Viewing figures were declining in racing not because of the old school c4 mob but because the product in general is declining.  All c4 did by getting rid of the old timers was lose a lot of the older generations who actually still watch and enjoy racing who don't like the current format.


Title: Re: channel 4 racing - a "complete yawn"
Post by: The Camel on November 20, 2015, 03:37:12 PM
I don't really like the fella, but Matt Chapman should be given a spin.


Title: Re: channel 4 racing - a "complete yawn"
Post by: The Camel on November 20, 2015, 03:41:04 PM
Redvers "I do not think it's racing's fault. I believe racing provides the storyline. How the storyline is used, produced and sold to the masses is the job of the broadcaster."

That's all well and good for the Derby, Cheltenham, Royal Ascot, York, Grand National etc

But most CH4 races are crappy handicaps with no storyline apart from the betting.


Title: Re: channel 4 racing - a "complete yawn"
Post by: The Camel on November 20, 2015, 03:48:25 PM
FWIW the only time I watch CH4 racing is when they show ATR meetings, which is basically Doncaster, Lingfield and Irish racing.


RUK >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> CH4 >>>>>>>>>ATR


If Channel 4 want to appeal to the racing enthusiast they should employ the cream of RUK presenters, Cunningham was a good start. Now get Mellish, Machin (who is seriously underrated IMO), Neesom, the Dixon brothers, Eddie the Shoe and the luscious Lydia.

Forget ex jockeys. Apart from Cash Asmussen and Steve Cauthen (and Ruby Walsh actually - he was brilliant on RUKs Derby coverage) I've never heard one of them talk any sense at all.


Title: Re: channel 4 racing - a "complete yawn"
Post by: arbboy on November 20, 2015, 03:52:35 PM
Lydia would be perfect for channel 4.  Clearly not arse kissing and corporate enough hence why the Balding/Spencer type birds keep getting the gigs.

I think the problem is they are trying to grow the product to people who are not interested in watching racing.  The focus on fashion at times is just comical how much time it takes up.  Do housewifes really check into C4 just to watch the fashion and ignore the racing?  I just can't have the fashion angle adds any viewing figures at all.  Just pisses off the real viewers who couldn't care less about it.  High end ponsey fashion and the betting jungle are polar opposites where hardly anyone would be mutually interested in both.

The only time it was entertaining was when Tommo was chatting up/groping the birds who all wanted 5 seconds of tv time.


Title: Re: channel 4 racing - a "complete yawn"
Post by: The Camel on November 20, 2015, 04:19:49 PM
Lydia would be perfect for channel 4.  Clearly not arse kissing and corporate enough hence why the Balding/Spencer type birds keep getting the gigs.

I think the problem is they are trying to grow the product to people who are not interested in watching racing.  The focus on fashion at times is just comical how much time it takes up.  Do housewifes really check into C4 just to watch the fashion and ignore the racing?  I just can't have the fashion angle adds any viewing figures at all.  Just pisses off the real viewers who couldn't care less about it.  High end ponsey fashion and the betting jungle are polar opposites where hardly anyone would be mutually interested in both.

The only time it was entertaining was when Tommo was chatting up/groping the birds who all wanted 5 seconds of tv time.

General sports fans might well be interested in the biggest 4 or 5 meetings of the year.

But all the Saturday handicaps? No interest whatsoever.

If you try to attract a "new audience" you'll end up alienating the core supporters.

As I say, I doubt I have watched CH4 racing more than 4 times in the last 12 months. Mainly because the presenters irritate me and the whole tone is banal.


Title: Re: channel 4 racing - a "complete yawn"
Post by: AndrewT on November 20, 2015, 04:21:59 PM
I'm pretty sure that moving coverage of anything from BBC1 to Ch4 would mean a sizable double digit drop in viewing figures, no matter what it was, irrespective of quality.

Remember, it's not all that long ago that TV racing meant John Parrott and Gary Wiltshire stinking up our screens.


Title: Re: channel 4 racing - a "complete yawn"
Post by: arbboy on November 20, 2015, 04:22:48 PM
Lydia would be perfect for channel 4.  Clearly not arse kissing and corporate enough hence why the Balding/Spencer type birds keep getting the gigs.

I think the problem is they are trying to grow the product to people who are not interested in watching racing.  The focus on fashion at times is just comical how much time it takes up.  Do housewifes really check into C4 just to watch the fashion and ignore the racing?  I just can't have the fashion angle adds any viewing figures at all.  Just pisses off the real viewers who couldn't care less about it.  High end ponsey fashion and the betting jungle are polar opposites where hardly anyone would be mutually interested in both.

The only time it was entertaining was when Tommo was chatting up/groping the birds who all wanted 5 seconds of tv time.

General sports fans might well be interested in the biggest 4 or 5 meetings of the year.

But all the Saturday handicaps? No interest whatsoever.

If you try to attract a "new audience" you'll end up alienating the core supporters.

As I say, I doubt I have watched CH4 racing more than 4 times in the last 12 months. Mainly because the presenters irritate me and the whole tone is banal.

I used to watch the morning line every week.  Can't remember the last time i watched it tbh.

I think racing needs to realise it is a niche sport now and it's heyday is long gone.  It is driven/financed by betting and 90% of casual punters under the age of 30 don't bet on racing anymore.  All about football/inplay/cashout etc etc.  Until they realise this shift they will keep finding excuses why the viewing figures are down when this is the real reason.  20 years ago if you wanted a bet you had to bet on racing pretty much and go to a betting shop to bet/watch it.  In 2015 that has all changed and racing hasn't moved with the new age.


Title: Re: channel 4 racing - a "complete yawn"
Post by: The Camel on November 20, 2015, 04:24:38 PM
I'm pretty sure that moving coverage of anything from BBC1 to Ch4 would mean a sizable double digit drop in viewing figures, no matter what it was, irrespective of quality.

Remember, it's not all that long ago that TV racing meant John Parrott and Gary Wiltshire stinking up our screens.


And Willie Carson. In a sea of mediocrity he was the worst (NAP)


Title: Re: channel 4 racing - a "complete yawn"
Post by: arbboy on November 20, 2015, 04:25:42 PM
Who would everyone have in the betting ring?  Tanya/Tommy Lee/Brian Leeson are just souless machine watchers.  Wiltshire too old.  Chapman probably a bit too OTT for main stream tv.


Title: Re: channel 4 racing - a "complete yawn"
Post by: The Camel on November 20, 2015, 04:30:16 PM
Lydia would be perfect for channel 4.  Clearly not arse kissing and corporate enough hence why the Balding/Spencer type birds keep getting the gigs.

I think the problem is they are trying to grow the product to people who are not interested in watching racing.  The focus on fashion at times is just comical how much time it takes up.  Do housewifes really check into C4 just to watch the fashion and ignore the racing?  I just can't have the fashion angle adds any viewing figures at all.  Just pisses off the real viewers who couldn't care less about it.  High end ponsey fashion and the betting jungle are polar opposites where hardly anyone would be mutually interested in both.

The only time it was entertaining was when Tommo was chatting up/groping the birds who all wanted 5 seconds of tv time.

General sports fans might well be interested in the biggest 4 or 5 meetings of the year.

But all the Saturday handicaps? No interest whatsoever.

If you try to attract a "new audience" you'll end up alienating the core supporters.

As I say, I doubt I have watched CH4 racing more than 4 times in the last 12 months. Mainly because the presenters irritate me and the whole tone is banal.

I used to watch the morning line every week.  Can't remember the last time i watched it tbh.

I think racing needs to realise it is a niche sport now and it's heyday is long gone.  It is driven/financed by betting and 90% of casual punters under the age of 30 don't bet on racing anymore.  All about football/inplay/cashout etc etc.  Until they realise this shift they will keep finding excuses why the viewing figures are down when this is the real reason.  20 years ago if you wanted a bet you had to bet on racing pretty much and go to a betting shop to bet/watch it.  In 2015 that has all changed and racing hasn't moved with the new age.

Sports fans are not going to watch CH4 Racing when Soccer Saturday is on the other side.

The only way to get young people into racing is to get them to actually go racing. A couple of winners on a nice summers day and they'll be back. And drop the ridiculous dress code at some racetracks, I wanted to go to Thirsk in the summer. I was turned away from the Members wearing a shirt and trousers, because I had trainers on.

No football shirts I understand. Possibly no bare chests. But that's it.


Title: Re: channel 4 racing - a "complete yawn"
Post by: The Camel on November 20, 2015, 04:32:33 PM
Who would everyone have in the betting ring?  Tanya/Tommy Lee/Brian Leeson are just souless machine watchers.  Wiltshire too old.  Chapman probably a bit too OTT for main stream tv.

Meh, I would have someone watching the Betfair market. That's all that matters.

Never really enjoyed Tony Calvin, but he's been pretty good on RUK recently.

Certainly 1000 times better than Tanya, Mac or anyone else I've heard talking about betting.


Title: Re: channel 4 racing - a "complete yawn"
Post by: arbboy on November 20, 2015, 04:32:45 PM
Lydia would be perfect for channel 4.  Clearly not arse kissing and corporate enough hence why the Balding/Spencer type birds keep getting the gigs.

I think the problem is they are trying to grow the product to people who are not interested in watching racing.  The focus on fashion at times is just comical how much time it takes up.  Do housewifes really check into C4 just to watch the fashion and ignore the racing?  I just can't have the fashion angle adds any viewing figures at all.  Just pisses off the real viewers who couldn't care less about it.  High end ponsey fashion and the betting jungle are polar opposites where hardly anyone would be mutually interested in both.

The only time it was entertaining was when Tommo was chatting up/groping the birds who all wanted 5 seconds of tv time.

General sports fans might well be interested in the biggest 4 or 5 meetings of the year.

But all the Saturday handicaps? No interest whatsoever.

If you try to attract a "new audience" you'll end up alienating the core supporters.

As I say, I doubt I have watched CH4 racing more than 4 times in the last 12 months. Mainly because the presenters irritate me and the whole tone is banal.

I used to watch the morning line every week.  Can't remember the last time i watched it tbh.

I think racing needs to realise it is a niche sport now and it's heyday is long gone.  It is driven/financed by betting and 90% of casual punters under the age of 30 don't bet on racing anymore.  All about football/inplay/cashout etc etc.  Until they realise this shift they will keep finding excuses why the viewing figures are down when this is the real reason.  20 years ago if you wanted a bet you had to bet on racing pretty much and go to a betting shop to bet/watch it.  In 2015 that has all changed and racing hasn't moved with the new age.

Sports fans are not going to watch CH4 Racing when Soccer Saturday is on the other side.

The only way to get young people into racing is to get them to actually go racing. A couple of winners on a nice summers day and they'll be back. And drop the ridiculous dress code at some racetracks, I wanted to go to Thirsk in the summer. I was turned away from the Members wearing a shirt and trousers, because I had trainers on.

No football shirts I understand. Possibly no bare chests. But that's it.

Going racing once or twice a year isn't going to convert hardly any people into proper racing fans imo nowadays.  Racing is much more of a piss up now than when i first went racing in the early 90s.  We went there to gamble predominately from start to finish because of the 10% tax advantages of coming racing.  The vast majority of people go racing now to take selfies of how pretty they look to impress their mates and to get shitfaced imo (and of course see Status Quo or Abba afterwards).


Title: Re: channel 4 racing - a "complete yawn"
Post by: AndrewT on November 20, 2015, 04:35:22 PM
I think racing needs to realise it is a niche sport now and it's heyday is long gone.  It is driven/financed by betting and 90% of casual punters under the age of 30 don't bet on racing anymore.  All about football/inplay/cashout etc etc.  Until they realise this shift they will keep finding excuses why the viewing figures are down when this is the real reason.  20 years ago if you wanted a bet you had to bet on racing pretty much and go to a betting shop to bet/watch it.  In 2015 that has all changed and racing hasn't moved with the new age.

When you think about it, what live sport gets as much air time on terrestrial TV as racing? Three hours every Saturday afternoon, plus the midweek festivals. The only one that could challenge it would be football and that's football.

Golf, cricket - both gone. F1 going. Rugby just the Six Nations and World Cup. Tennis not much outside of Wimbledon. Racing's actually doing quite well.


Title: Re: channel 4 racing - a "complete yawn"
Post by: The Camel on November 20, 2015, 04:41:43 PM
I think racing needs to realise it is a niche sport now and it's heyday is long gone.  It is driven/financed by betting and 90% of casual punters under the age of 30 don't bet on racing anymore.  All about football/inplay/cashout etc etc.  Until they realise this shift they will keep finding excuses why the viewing figures are down when this is the real reason.  20 years ago if you wanted a bet you had to bet on racing pretty much and go to a betting shop to bet/watch it.  In 2015 that has all changed and racing hasn't moved with the new age.

When you think about it, what live sport gets as much air time on terrestrial TV as racing? Three hours every Saturday afternoon, plus the midweek festivals. The only one that could challenge it would be football and that's football.

Golf, cricket - both gone. F1 going. Rugby just the Six Nations and World Cup. Tennis not much outside of Wimbledon. Racing's actually doing quite well.

Isn't that because racing (ie bookmakers) pays CH4 to show it?

If they didn't it would down to Royal Ascot, Cheltenham, Aintree, the Derby and maybe York, Kempton at Xmas and Goodwood.

Which is just about all the regular sports fans might be interested in.



Title: Re: channel 4 racing - a "complete yawn"
Post by: TightEnd on November 20, 2015, 04:51:13 PM
it seems Mr QIPCO wants less focus on betting and more on "characters", the stables, the breeding etc etc

is there really an audience for that?

i guess the betting audience, betting these days more on mobile and tablet and at home on a saturday afternoon looking for quick fixes and cash outs and steamers etc etc are diametrically opposite to what Mr QIPCO thinks makes a good programme

do many people watch who don't bet and watch because of the love of the sport, do we think? i don't get that impression, i think that segment of the audience has shrunk a lot


Title: Re: channel 4 racing - a "complete yawn"
Post by: arbboy on November 20, 2015, 04:52:28 PM
I think racing needs to realise it is a niche sport now and it's heyday is long gone.  It is driven/financed by betting and 90% of casual punters under the age of 30 don't bet on racing anymore.  All about football/inplay/cashout etc etc.  Until they realise this shift they will keep finding excuses why the viewing figures are down when this is the real reason.  20 years ago if you wanted a bet you had to bet on racing pretty much and go to a betting shop to bet/watch it.  In 2015 that has all changed and racing hasn't moved with the new age.

When you think about it, what live sport gets as much air time on terrestrial TV as racing? Three hours every Saturday afternoon, plus the midweek festivals. The only one that could challenge it would be football and that's football.

Golf, cricket - both gone. F1 going. Rugby just the Six Nations and World Cup. Tennis not much outside of Wimbledon. Racing's actually doing quite well.

Isn't that because racing (ie bookmakers) pays CH4 to show it?

If they didn't it would down to Royal Ascot, Cheltenham, Aintree, the Derby and maybe York, Kempton at Xmas and Goodwood.

Which is just about all the regular sports fans might be interested in.



The main reason that is the case is because no tv companies are queuing up to pay for the rights like sky do for tennis/football/darts because no one wants to watch racing any more.  That is the reality of the situation (plus there are two specialist racing channels available as well to most people should they want them).  Also anyone who bets on a race now can watch it free on their phone/machine with their betting company.


Title: Re: channel 4 racing - a "complete yawn"
Post by: Horneris on November 20, 2015, 05:00:00 PM
Had a similar conversation with someone at work the other day during "tipstar" about the new generation of racing uk presenters.

Yes they know their stuff but the entertainment and banter has all but disappeared.

Its similar to poker for me, I used to love High Stakes Poker with AJ Benza and Gabe Kaplan presenting but lost all interest in televised poker when they were all replaced by young clones talking about ICM in their monotone American voices.


Title: Re: channel 4 racing - a "complete yawn"
Post by: AlunB on November 20, 2015, 05:01:27 PM
it seems Mr QIPCO wants less focus on betting and more on "characters", the stables, the breeding etc etc

is there really an audience for that?

i guess the betting audience, betting these days more on mobile and tablet and at home on a saturday afternoon looking for quick fixes and cash outs and steamers etc etc are diametrically opposite to what Mr QIPCO thinks makes a good programme

do many people watch who don't bet and watch because of the love of the sport, do we think? i don't get that impression, i think that segment of the audience has shrunk a lot

I've met one person my entire life who actually loved racing for racing. He now works for the Racing Post. Well maybe two at a push, but the other one wrote horse racing articles for me at Inside Edge.


Title: Re: channel 4 racing - a "complete yawn"
Post by: doubleup on November 20, 2015, 05:09:25 PM
An interesting experiment imo would be one free channel (satellite and online), financed by the betting industry that simply showed racing, splitting screens where necessary.  Obv one guy basically telling whats going on but no other "added value"  Bookies ads between racing and promos in the morning ok.

I'd be surprised if this didn't result in a considerable increase in betting turnover.


Title: Re: channel 4 racing - a "complete yawn"
Post by: The Camel on November 20, 2015, 05:17:02 PM
it seems Mr QIPCO wants less focus on betting and more on "characters", the stables, the breeding etc etc

is there really an audience for that?

i guess the betting audience, betting these days more on mobile and tablet and at home on a saturday afternoon looking for quick fixes and cash outs and steamers etc etc are diametrically opposite to what Mr QIPCO thinks makes a good programme

do many people watch who don't bet and watch because of the love of the sport, do we think? i don't get that impression, i think that segment of the audience has shrunk a lot

I've met one person my entire life who actually loved racing for racing. He now works for the Racing Post. Well maybe two at a push, but the other one wrote horse racing articles for me at Inside Edge.

You were at Inside Edge? I never knew that.

That was a quality magazine, you should be proud of working on that.

Do you know Dave Thomas?


Title: Re: channel 4 racing - a "complete yawn"
Post by: The Camel on November 20, 2015, 05:17:50 PM
Ooo Dave Thomas might have worked on Odds On, a similar magazine but a few years previous.


Title: Re: channel 4 racing - a "complete yawn"
Post by: AlunB on November 20, 2015, 05:21:11 PM
it seems Mr QIPCO wants less focus on betting and more on "characters", the stables, the breeding etc etc

is there really an audience for that?

i guess the betting audience, betting these days more on mobile and tablet and at home on a saturday afternoon looking for quick fixes and cash outs and steamers etc etc are diametrically opposite to what Mr QIPCO thinks makes a good programme

do many people watch who don't bet and watch because of the love of the sport, do we think? i don't get that impression, i think that segment of the audience has shrunk a lot

I've met one person my entire life who actually loved racing for racing. He now works for the Racing Post. Well maybe two at a push, but the other one wrote horse racing articles for me at Inside Edge.

You were at Inside Edge? I never knew that.

That was a quality magazine, you should be proud of working on that.

Do you know Dave Thomas?

Can't say that I do, no. We had a right character called Dave Fowler writing for us. He's a hard man to forget.

Indeed I was. I was the man that "ruined" it. Man did the betfair forum hate us back then. Was ridiculous.


Title: Re: channel 4 racing - a "complete yawn"
Post by: Tal on November 20, 2015, 05:30:53 PM
Arbboy, do a subscription for a Twitch stream where you go to the channel four racing venue each Saturday and wander around the Tatts, giving your assessment of what's going on.

You won't need to work again.

"Look at these lol punters - 4/1 with Hills and 6.2 on the machine!"

"This so called bookie says he will take £300 each way on the jolly when you're rinsing him on the place price. WTF is he paying the bloke round the back on his laptop to do?!"

As for Francome and Co, I used to think they were great until Cunningham showed up and started explaining things before they happened on telly.


Title: Re: channel 4 racing - a "complete yawn"
Post by: AlunB on November 20, 2015, 05:45:14 PM
it seems Mr QIPCO wants less focus on betting and more on "characters", the stables, the breeding etc etc

is there really an audience for that?

i guess the betting audience, betting these days more on mobile and tablet and at home on a saturday afternoon looking for quick fixes and cash outs and steamers etc etc are diametrically opposite to what Mr QIPCO thinks makes a good programme

do many people watch who don't bet and watch because of the love of the sport, do we think? i don't get that impression, i think that segment of the audience has shrunk a lot

I've met one person my entire life who actually loved racing for racing. He now works for the Racing Post. Well maybe two at a push, but the other one wrote horse racing articles for me at Inside Edge.

You were at Inside Edge? I never knew that.

That was a quality magazine, you should be proud of working on that.

Do you know Dave Thomas?

Thank you btw. Honestly every single person who worked on the editorial for that mag truly loved sports and gambling and I hope it showed. We all loved working on it and it was truly a sad day when market forces killed it.


Title: Re: channel 4 racing - a "complete yawn"
Post by: The Camel on November 20, 2015, 06:11:07 PM
Arbboy, do a subscription for a Twitch stream where you go to the channel four racing venue each Saturday and wander around the Tatts, giving your assessment of what's going on.

You won't need to work again.

"Look at these lol punters - 4/1 with Hills and 6.2 on the machine!"

"This so called bookie says he will take £300 each way on the jolly when you're rinsing him on the place price. WTF is he paying the bloke round the back on his laptop to do?!"

As for Francome and Co, I used to think they were great until Cunningham showed up and started explaining things before they happened on telly.

Would subscribe.


Title: Re: channel 4 racing - a "complete yawn"
Post by: simonnatur on November 21, 2015, 11:16:29 AM
Arbboy, do a subscription for a Twitch stream where you go to the channel four racing venue each Saturday and wander around the Tatts, giving your assessment of what's going on.

You won't need to work again.

"Look at these lol punters - 4/1 with Hills and 6.2 on the machine!"

"This so called bookie says he will take £300 each way on the jolly when you're rinsing him on the place price. WTF is he paying the bloke round the back on his laptop to do?!"

As for Francome and Co, I used to think they were great until Cunningham showed up and started explaining things before they happened on telly.

Would subscribe.

+1 Especially if we get treated to some quality #SouthernersPissingAwayLOLHousePriceEquity Rants after a good lunch.

Camel,  Do you include Mick Fitz in your panning of ex jocks as presenters? - always thought he was ok on ATR


Title: Re: channel 4 racing - a "complete yawn"
Post by: The Camel on November 21, 2015, 11:25:09 AM
Arbboy, do a subscription for a Twitch stream where you go to the channel four racing venue each Saturday and wander around the Tatts, giving your assessment of what's going on.

You won't need to work again.

"Look at these lol punters - 4/1 with Hills and 6.2 on the machine!"

"This so called bookie says he will take £300 each way on the jolly when you're rinsing him on the place price. WTF is he paying the bloke round the back on his laptop to do?!"

As for Francome and Co, I used to think they were great until Cunningham showed up and started explaining things before they happened on telly.

Would subscribe.

+1 Especially if we get treated to some quality #SouthernersPissingAwayLOLHousePriceEquity Rants after a good lunch.

Camel,  Do you include Mick Fitz in your panning of ex jocks as presenters? - always thought he was ok on ATR

Absolutely would.

No matter how bad a ride a jockey has given a horse, Fitzgerald always finds some way of not blaming the pilot.

It's getting to be almost comical the excuses he finds for inept jockeyship.


Title: Re: channel 4 racing - a "complete yawn"
Post by: The Camel on November 21, 2015, 11:43:48 AM
The problem with most racing presenters is they are too pally with the trainers and jockeys involved to be objective in the analysis of a ride or the training of a horse.

I well remember Lydia Hislop's brilliant and cutting criticism of Paul Nicholls over his non disclosure to the public of a fall Kauto Star had at home which made his participation in the Cheltenham Gold Cup doubtful.

Nicholls got in a major huff (even though Lydia's words were 100% justified) and refused to be interviewed by RUK for a while.

But this episode is notable in its uniqueness. Racing presenters usually baulk at saying even the slightest criticism of a jockey or trainer. Possibly because they are worried they won't get an interview the next time they have the favourite in a big, maybe because they are mates with them or most likely they won't be given a nudge next time they have a potential superstars running in a maiden at Pontefract.


Title: Re: channel 4 racing - a "complete yawn"
Post by: Karabiner on November 21, 2015, 12:41:04 PM
Mick Fitz never fails to make me groan, especially so every time he says "really".


Title: Re: channel 4 racing - a "complete yawn"
Post by: Marky147 on November 21, 2015, 05:02:30 PM
Thought it was pretty good today on the most part.

<3 Cue Card!


Title: Re: channel 4 racing - a "complete yawn"
Post by: JohnCharver on November 21, 2015, 07:36:25 PM
Thought it was pretty good today on the most part.

<3 Cue Card!

Was awesome. The gold cup is shaping up amazing if all the protagonists stay fit. King George could be a bit tasty aswell.

C4 should just pack more racing on. Should never be more than 20 mins without a race (unless theres a reason to build it up). Stop talking to connection of a winning race just before the off of another race aswell. There should be no listed race or above during that time missed by c4. They tend to coincide their big race with a 30min gap, before which is usually after 3. Means noone watches anything but the race anyway so the other tripe is pointless.

Agree with above comments about scrapping all the fashion stuff aswell, rather watch a 4m race from a boggy hexham


Title: Re: channel 4 racing - a "complete yawn"
Post by: Marky147 on November 21, 2015, 08:19:14 PM
Didn't have a penny on, but it was absolutely superb viewing.

Like you said, they just need to stay fit, and it will be some season.


I'm normally watching SSN, or something else on my other screens, so don't pay much attention unless it's someone I want to hear talk.

Would like to see them get rid of Rishi, Tom Lee, and Fitzgerald.

Of the presenters, I think Nick Luck is very good, and definitely the best they've got.


Title: Re: channel 4 racing - a "complete yawn"
Post by: arbboy on November 21, 2015, 08:24:07 PM
Tom lee was one of the original teletext operators at 365 in the very very early days.  Used to have a flat above one of the 365 betting shops going way back.


Title: Re: channel 4 racing - a "complete yawn"
Post by: atdc21 on November 22, 2015, 12:02:15 AM
I don't really like the fella, but Matt Chapman should be given a spin.

Please nooooooooooo   bloke is a complete over the top ****, imo of course.