There are some positives: Balding is a brilliant presenter, super intelligent and knows the sport backwards (I am assuming she will only host the big meetings though, given her other commitments) Luck is also a very gifted broadcaster and I can see him doing well beyond racing in time Fitzgerald is very good and more likely to criticise jockeys than Francome McCririck should never have started 31 years ago and thank god he's finally gone But there are just as many downsides: Persad is hopeless McGrath is knowledgeable but thoroughly charmless Spencer is absolutely useless and obviously there just for the eye-candy Down has been the best on C4 racing for some years and his passion and intelligence will be greatly missed. I can only think there is more to his exclusion than meets the eye. I hope his health is Ok. I'm a big fan of his prose and he must surely have some great racing books in him. I just hope C4 improves the timing of its adverts - i.e. during the week nothing within 10 minutes of the off and certainly not while the winners are being led in.
Ah but how would the new team cope with Barney Curley? This in memory of Famous - an underachiever who knows nothing about racing Hope you are well my friend, wherever you are [video=youtube;LfPpBpDaSXE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LfPpBpDaSXE&feature=endscreen&NR=1[/video]
Odddy Big Mac ****ting himself. On the ropes he was. INTERVIEW MY ARSEEEE HE KNOWS NOTHING ABOUT RACING YOU WERE AN UNDERACHIEVER IN LIFE THAT'S WHY YOU DON'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT RACING JOHN JEEEZ no holding back Barney
Hahah Oddy very good clip, McCrirrick had no comeback did he, especially when Barney said ''u were nearly gone only for me'' In fairness Luke took it well. McCrirrick won't be a big loss, he was entertaining but some things he remarked on were often disparaging and insulting without need to be. I like Francome, met him before and he's a very knowledgable person to have a discussion with. Anyway it's onwards now and hopefully they all put on a good show and promote racing in a good light.
Someone please tell me how Alastiar Down doesn't get a job when that clueless idiot Rishi does ? AD is about as passionate as any racing writer I've ever known, just read his articles in the RP, they're priceless, this is a man who cares deeply about racing and the future of the sport. Claire Balding was a gimme, her fronting the show was always happening and is the right move IMO, she is the rigfht person for the job. As for Emma Spencer, nice to look at but does she really offer anything else ? Not fussed about McCririck but Down I feel strongly about...
Not sure that anyone expressed having an issue with the female head count..but hey,whatever,some people love to utilise any and every opportunity to promote themselves by proxy...Also,who some peoples parents are/were is utterly irrelevant re their ability to do a job within C4 racing. My Mother was an anaesthetist...and no,I wouldn't dream of having a go but extrapolating the argument of one poster I'm perfectly qualified! I like Alice Plunkett,but the fact her husband (not even her!) is a three day eventer means absolutely nothing in relation to C4 racing coverage..Christ,he might as well be a plasterer! Fulkes,some good point's but Mick Fitz never critisises anyone...the archetypal splintered arse man who is a long way short of engaging even the densest inter cranial material. Sad to see the great Ian Balding getting shamelessly slagged off..
Brilliant Oddy...I believe Curley was a monk or a seminary of sorts at one point in his colourful career. Good guy and does a lot of charity stuff as well..
Dex is that you in you'r picture or one of the Proclaimers? No offence intented, just reminds of a Proclaimer and i hum their songs when i see you'r picture.
I've being meaning to ask you that along time, maybe now i will be able to get the songs out of my mind and tell myself it is real Dexter and not a famous singer.
I only sing on the terraces Humans!...we won 1-0 that evening so I was quite hoarse by this stage and more than a little under pressure despite the fact that there is zero alcohol on sale in the footy grounds in Spain. KO usually 4 pm on Sundays,although,like here,that is changing to suit global audiences,and most of the faithful are well oiled after a wine fuelled Sunday lunch.
The guy heading up the new look Channel 4 production team used to be a big noise in the BBC Sports department, so no real surprise that he has retained a few of their faces. Rishi Persad must be the token ethnic minority, but at least that means Aidan O'Brien can get rehearsing his answers over the winter months as he will know what the interview questions will be - just like we know the Ballydoyle answers. There was quite a bit of vitriol in the Racing Post article about the new team from a couple of the cast offs, particularly as it does not seem to have been handled very subtly. I am sure that they will all find roles elsewhere but just with lower profiles. Leslie Graham has apparently taken a role with Racing Welfare and John Francome had already ruled himself out. I am surprised that Aussie Jim (J.A.) McGrath did not move across from Auntie. Perhaps he has other plans or intends to just stick to writing. I am largely indifferent to who actually fronts the shows as they are so crammed with advert breaks and so lacking on meaningful analysis that I tend to just watch the races and do something else in the gaps between. Given the amount that Channel 4 shelled out for the TV rights they are going to need a much bigger sponsorship deal from Dubai or half the new team were cheap.
QM I set you a challenge. Try and post on the forum at least once without mentioning Aidan O'Brien IMPOSSIBLE
My point about Clare, Emma and Alice coming from horsey backgrounds is that understanding horses is a huge advantage when trying to explain things to the public or interview a trainer/jockey. I know nothing about training a racehorse but because of my background equine knowledge can discuss with a trainer or sales consignor what kind of prospect a two year old is when I'm trying to persuade them to get it registered. And I absolutely will bring up the fact that women need to be better represented in the sport. The vast majority of stable staff and work riders are female but women are woefully underrepresented at the top/public end of the sport.
It would be a bit difficult on this particular post as I am quoting his name from your post. And it would be impossible on the Racing Post Trophy thread unless I only name the horse and just refer to the jockey as Joseph. I wonder if Ladbrokes are offering betting on how many times next season, when interviewed on Channel 4, that famous Irish racehorse trainer who does not need to be named starts by saying “Listen, Rishi” or “Rishi, Listen”. Let us hope that they do not continue the approach that the BBC was taking (probably promoted by Racing For Change) of treating all viewers like morons. Dumbing down to the lowest common denominator will not make racing more popular or attract more first-time racegoers.
I wrote a letter to the Racing Post and Channel 4 Racing about this whole farce which Ron has seen ! Rishi Persad instead of any of Big Mac,Alistair Down,Mike Cattermole or even Thommo ??? I could do a far better job than Mr Persad... and I have more knowledge about Horse Racing and the facts that matter for sure ! I also added that John Francome will be sorely missed !
