Chanel 4 racing and Claire Balding.

[Alec Swan]

I had my doubts, serious doubts at that, but this afternoon was near sublime. I'm more than happy, delighted in fact, to eat Humble Pie.

Well done C4, CB, and all those who took part. Such a delight to see inside Henderson's yard. All that I need now is £100k to find a horse for Corky Browne to care for, and for NH to train.

To see Lucy Thompsett being cared for at Oaksey House, was wonderful.

C4 have rediscovered their purpose. Perfect!!

Alec.

 

[claracanter]

Glad to see someone else watched and enjoyed it.

I was so enthralled by NH and his yard of wonderful horses and staff. It was a real treat.

It was great to see the tremendous work done at Oaksey house and the remarkable Isabel Thompsett.

Even the pundits in the studio were interesting on their views for the festival runners.

Well done channel 4 for pulling that out the bag when Cheltenham was called off.

 

[LittleBoPeep]

I really enjoyed it. I did miss John Francome though!

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

Great coverage except for all the damned adverts!!! What's the craic with the Will Hill one as the runners are circling at the start and they put them in a tiny box in the corner?!? Ditch that feature please!

Other than that they did a great job. It was great to be able to get into NH's yard at such short notice and fair play to his lads that came in for it. So long as they have started as they mean to go on then C4 Racing will be hitting it's biggest highs ever!

 

[Daffodil]

Not so keen as you all are! Yes, the coverage from Seven Barrows was great, and wonderful to have access to such spectacular horses, see Corky Brown and listen to the lads talk about their charges; and seeing the work of Oaksey House was enlightening.

Could do without that awful William Hill advert turning up so frequently (get rid of it please), and even more advert breaks than previously; Nick Luck was trying too hard, and I'm not sure I "take" to Graham Cunningham. That ghastly touch screen and the waving hand got on my nerves, and the light blue colouring was difficult to read; the "in depth" (I jest) interviews with ST-D and Lucy ALexander were rather shallow. I found myself not knowing which horse was running in which colours as the run through the card was so poor with a very hurried background to only selected horses in each race.

Found some of it quite boring.

No not particularly impressed but agree they had a difficult task with Cheltenham off.

 

[Rowreach]

I had my doubts, serious doubts at that, but this afternoon was near sublime. I'm more than happy, delighted in fact, to eat Humble Pie.

Well done C4, CB, and all those who took part. Such a delight to see inside Henderson's yard. All that I need now is £100k to find a horse for Corky Browne to care for, and for NH to train.

To see Lucy Thompsett being cared for at Oaksey House, was wonderful.

C4 have rediscovered their purpose. Perfect!!

Alec.

Early days, but I didn't like it much, although NH's yard was fab to see. It's Isabel Tompsett btw - I thought the interview with her was inspiring.

 

[HumBugsey]

I thought it was amazing considering their main venue was pulled! Does anyone know if they were planning to show anything from scotland at all before?

I would love for them to make the "inside the trainers yard" thing regular, I found it really interesting to see these horses stood up for once to get a good look. And how stunning was Sprinter Scare!? Top marks for NH and crew allowing them in on short notice

I'm sure there will be tweaking as it goes on, I'm with you on the blue not being the easiest but all the presenters will relax and sand off a few rough edges.

 

[Honeylight]

The film of the Henderson Yard was good but I didn't think much of the coverage otherwise.
Felt very magazinish & i was very disappointed the runners were not shown in the paddock or cantering down.
Maybe have to give them the benefit of the bdoubt this time as it wasn't the show they expected.
However I would like to see more of the horses at home & the stable staff in the future.

 

[Chestnuttymare]

I thought it was great to see NH's yard and hear what his staff have to say. Also great to see the horses up close and personal. Sprinter Sacre is absolutely stunning.
was a bit disappointed in the card from musselburgh, thought the info on the horses was sparse, not much mention of the trainers. A bit thrown in about Lucinda Russell not having a winner in however many races, no mention of what she has done in the past of wish her well for this year after the dreadful 2012 she had on her yard (don't mean on the track). Just a bit negative there. Apart from that i thought it was good. I did miss JF though!

 

[JCWHITE]

I filled in the on line form on Channel Four website, to let them know my views, suggest others do the same.
Who is the Graham fellow?
Am pleased the Morning Line appears to be continuing, that would seriously p me off if not.
Agreed a difficult start, made better by the visit to the yard and the article about Oaksey House.

 

[webble]

I will miss Lesley, John and Jim and Alastair. Not Big Mac though

 

[volatis]

Alistair and John are huge losses for them. The actual racing coverage was rubbish as usual. You barely get to see the horses before the race at all.
Loved the NH visit but I cant see them sticking to that format, it was just a filler this time.

 

[starr_g]

I recorded it so just flicked through for the races after watching the introduction to see how Claire performed. I have just filled in the C4 online form to tell them that the new data display is really hard to read and not having the trainer listed is surprising.

 

[Maesfen]

I thought they did well in the circumstances; such a relief to not have gobbychops any longer but have to admit missing AD and JF particularly and with the line up they have I can't see the need for Richie at all but then I don't like him anyway. I did actually like Graham Cunningham, first time I've seen him.
I agree about the blue screen, awful to read anything at all and it's very small too, feel sorry for anyone who will find it a problem.
I think the poor shots at Musselburgh could be because they had to use an almost static camera all the time, no room there for cars around the course from what I could see but I hate when there's no paddock talk as that's half of it and today they had no excuse not to show it fully.

As I have to take what I can get (no Sky) I appreciate whatever is shown but the programme today bodes well for the future I think - and hope.

 

[Echo Bravo]

I dislike CB so glad to not see much of her, the rest of the program I felt much to be desired. The blue touch screen I couldn't read it and not seeing the horses parade dismal,didn't think to much of the commentary when they were racing. So there goes my enjoyment of doing my ironing while watching the morning line, actually there goes my enjoyment full stop watching the racing.

 

[Alec Swan]

Alistair and John are huge losses for them. The actual racing coverage was rubbish as usual. You barely get to see the horses before the race at all.
Loved the NH visit but I cant see them sticking to that format, it was just a filler this time.

I agree, and that's about it! JF walked, sadly. AD? I haven't a clue, I suppose that his services were dispensed with, such a shame, such an erudite and educated and ebullient man. C4 Racing is the poorer for his going.

Early days, so we'll see what happens.

Alec.

 

[Springy]

My hubby sat and watched it all while I took the decorations down

He works in racing and pointed out everyone he knew lol

He particularly liked the chatting to Nicky Hendersons staff to get their view on the horses

He also said it was different but well done to them for pulling it off including the fact that Cheltenham wasnt on

 

[flashmans]

I imagine the reason that there was little coverage of the horses in the paddock today was because Cheltenham was off and that's where the coverage was supposed to be based. As far as I'm aware they have never showed the horses in the paddock or cantering down at the races that are not the 'main' covrage/programme, as Musselburgh, Ayr and a lot of others are...?

 

[oldvic]

Who is the Graham fellow?

Graham Cunningham writes for the Racing Post and used to be with time form. He is extremely knowledgeable and very respected within the industry.

I suspect that the William Hill advert will have to be tolerated - many programmes on television are now sponsored.

It is only fair to give them a chance. They are a very professional group but they only had a few days to prepare and, while I'm sure there will be changes in their presentation over time, they did a good job. In all walks of life there is change. We don't always want it but we get used to it and sometimes it ends up better. With all the presenters there will be those that like them and those that don't but they all have knowledge and plenty to offer.

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

Musselburgh is quite a nice track but it is small. It's tight, sharp and you really can only use 2 camera to watch the track so you never get the best of shots. If they had taken a walkabout camera down to the paddock you would have found it as busy as the Festival's - because it's so small Well no, I have walked smaller paddocks but Burgh really isn't that big at all. Plus they had no presenters up here. At short notice they did a fair job but they do have a lot to work on.

 

[Alec Swan]

Graham Cunningham writes for the Racing Post and used to be with time form. He is extremely knowledgeable and very respected within the industry.

........

"INDUSTRY"? I hear you say. That's all very well, but has he ever sat on the back of a horse?....... and before anyone tells me that my argument is of no consequence, perhaps you'd best go back to your "Slips".

Alec.

 

[oldvic]

"INDUSTRY"? I hear you say. That's all very well, but has he ever sat on the back of a horse?....... and before anyone tells me that my argument is of no consequence, perhaps you'd best go back to your "Slips".

Alec.

Not quite sure what you're trying to say.

He understands racing and has an in depth knowledge of form. He also has a positive way of looking at things. Nobody is asking him to ride.

 

[Alec Swan]

Not quite sure what you're trying to say.

....... Nobody is asking him to ride.

I can assure you, that there's a world of difference between understanding form, and understanding the horse.

Alec.

 

[oldvic]

I can assure you, that there's a world of difference between understanding form, and understanding the horse.

Alec.

Yes, That's right but both have a place. He talks a lot of sense and understands enough about horses to appreciate that they are not machines and they need to be ridden to their strengths to be able to win. He also knows to stick to his strengths.

 

[Alec Swan]

oldvic,

I shall watch his progress with interest, and if he proves to be lacking, then you can deal with him!!

Alec.

 

[oldvic]

oldvic,

I shall watch his progress with interest, and if he proves to be lacking, then you can deal with him!!

Alec.

I have watched him quite a bit on racing UK and he has always been sensible with what he says and has an opinion that's worth listening to. He also seems to find constructive and positive things to say which has to be good.

 

[Dobiegirl]

I wasnt impressed with his opinion on David Pipes Swing Bowler who is out of Lady Cricket a prolific winner, he stated she was the same colour as her dam who was chestnut if memory serves me correct and Swing Bowler is bay.

 

[TeamChaser]

Thought the team did a great job on the whole with Cheltenham off


The coverage at NJH yard was brilliant and how fantastic to see all of the horses at such close quarters. Almost felt a bit sorry for Long Run having to stand next to Sprinter Sacre - what an animal! Darlan also really stood out for me, looked fabulous, and I think could have a big chance in Champion Hurdle

Appreciate that this was possibly put together at quite short notice, and all credit to the team at Seven Barrows for accomodating, but BHA could do worse than encouraging more of this sort of thing. To me it showed racing in a great light and it was clear how much trainer and staff think of their charges. Racing gets a bad press from certain quarters but to hear Corky Brown talking about Captain Conan in particular spoke volumes about the care that these horses receive and the regard in which they're held by those responsible for them

 

[oldvic]

I wasnt impressed with his opinion on David Pipes Swing Bowler who is out of Lady Cricket a prolific winner, he stated she was the same colour as her dam who was chestnut if memory serves me correct and Swing Bowler is bay.

Nobody is perfect and that is not the worst mistake anybody has made. His judgement on how she ran and what the form amounts to is more valid and is why he is there. He is liked by the trainers as he presents the facts without condemning them or their horses.

 

[lil'chesnut]

I help in caring for several of some of the top horses on the racing circuit trained by a certain well known trainer. Unfortunately I don't get to meet them all, as most are on rest or recovering from injury, so I do miss being able to see the trainer named alongside the horse and jockey's names in the listings.

Other than that I thoroughly enjoyed the programme today and, as always, think that Clare pulled it off superbly.