Chanel 4 racing and Claire Balding.

[Dobiegirl]

I was very disappointed in Mick Fitz, he is fine chatting about form etc but reading out the race-cards was not good. The graphics still want sorting and the sound is out of sync with peoples mouths which is surely basic stuff. Rishi Persaad

 

[Alec Swan]

Strange that after 90 posts (ok so some are repeat postings), but there's yet to be one person who believes the new format to be an improvement. Another question, if Claire Balding was the much vaulted new lead presenter, where is she?

Does anyone have an e/mail contact for Ch4 Racing, one that works?

Alec.

Ets, and just as an afterthought, are there any other NH supporting forums available? I'm wondering how others feel. a.

 

[Nosey]

Thought mick fitz & the other one were pretty wooden in the studio bits today. On morning line didn't like the touch screen for replays..esp when they stick their hand across it. Graphics harder to read...don't know what it was with them..colours/smaller type but i felt I was straining to read them. Felt generally a bit dumbed down. :-(

 

[d_morrow]

I've been following this thread from the beginning and agree with all who say the programme has lost it's character and is just very dull, with more form experts (and very wooden they are) than horsemen. I only saw a little bit today but it struck me that the studio setup looks dark and unwelcoming. Also - that clunking great desk is a barrier between presenters and viewers. For me however, nothing they do to the format will make up for the loss of Alastair Down and John Francome. I'm glad I missed Rishi Persaad - I saw enough when he was on the BBC. DIRE!

 

[AdorableAlice]

Not anywhere near as enjoyable watching with the new team. I failed to stay awake beyond the first hour ! Just watched the recording and thought it was disappointing that Katchit barely had a mention.

I do think it could be renamed Chanel 4 Betting and Gambling rather than racing. Persad needs to get a bit closer to the horses and get planted, that man will never make a racing presenter, cringeworthy viewing.

I am thinking the annual leave saved for Cheltenham week will be used elsewhere. I shall tape the week, watch the races themselves and fast forward the drivel.

 

[Alec Swan]

.......

I am thinking the annual leave saved for Cheltenham week will be used elsewhere. I shall tape the week, watch the races themselves and fast forward the drivel.

If those who support the programme in question, by paying to advertise, read comments such as that, there may be a change of stance.

Well said.

Alec.

 

[Honeylight]

Not anywhere near as enjoyable watching with the new team. I failed to stay awake beyond the first hour ! Just watched the recording and thought it was disappointing that Katchit barely had a mention.

I do think it could be renamed Chanel 4 Betting and Gambling rather than racing. Persad needs to get a bit closer to the horses and get planted, that man will never make a racing presenter, cringeworthy viewing.

I am thinking the annual leave saved for Cheltenham week will be used elsewhere. I shall tape the week, watch the races themselves and fast forward the drivel.

I feel that they will be unable to get a new audience. It is very slanted towards betting & is a bit boring now. I never liked Tommo or Big Mac but there were more colourful & engaged with the viewer than Graham Cunnningham, not sure about Nick Luck either. It almost seems as if they don't like horses that much & would race flies down a window to win a bet. Does anyone else feel that or is it just me? Feel that they might make public perception of horse racing more negative in time. I have been skimming through recordings, has any one seen the productions response to a fatality yet? I don't mean poor Katchit, but a horse killed on air.

 

[AdorableAlice]

I feel that they will be unable to get a new audience. It is very slanted towards betting & is a bit boring now. I never liked Tommo or Big Mac but there were more colourful & engaged with the viewer than Graham Cunnningham, not sure about Nick Luck either. It almost seems as if they don't like horses that much & would race flies down a window to win a bet. Does anyone else feel that or is it just me? Feel that they might make public perception of horse racing more negative in time. I have been skimming through recordings, has any one seen the productions response to a fatality yet? I don't mean poor Katchit, but a horse killed on air.

I haven't seen a fatality yet whilst C4 has been broadcasting. The ground is so slow at the moment it is saving the horses. You are so right with the comment about the betting, I did hear Cunningham say a horse was a 'nice type' but that was it.

 

[Rollin]

I am no longer a viewer. I really liked the input of ex-jockeys and never liked Claire's put downs on BBC.


Willie Carson apparently had a CB mare as a foster for one of his home breds. At Ascot last year he started to say something about our much loved ancient breed and CB (same intials!!!) shut him up.

She does not get my vote.

I would love to know what the viewing figures are.

 

[Clodagh]

I watch all the jumps racing every day and there have been hardly any fatalities this season, the dodgy jumpers are being helped by the slow paces. (I sky + it and whizz through in the evening, I don't spend every afternoon on the sofa!)
I watched RUK on Saturday and it was fine, there wasn't much of horses in the padocks but they had all the jump meetings so it was a bit busy. I might try C4 again on Saturday. I see Choc Thornton isn't keen on the new ML in his H&H column.

 

[Maesfen]

I watched last week and it was pretty mediocre like something first timeers would put together - which they are not.
Just had this through from them so at least they have listened a bit! -

Thank you for contacting Channel 4 Viewer Enquiries regarding CHANNEL 4 RACING.

As a Racing viewer who has previously contacted us to comment about the new race cards on the programme being difficult to read, we would like to inform you that having taken this on board, the programme makers will be amending this feature in time for next weeks meet. From that point onwards, you should notice that these race cards will be more visible for viewers.

Please feel free to contact us further if you continue to have a problem viewing the race cards on future coverage and we will pass on the feedback to the programme makers.

Thank you again for taking the time to contact us here at Channel 4 and for your interest in our programming.

Regards,
Rachel Salinger
Channel 4 Viewer Enquiries

PS: Clodagh, you're lucky as I can only get CH 4 so that is the only racing I can watch, dreadful when the presentation is so p$ss poor.

 

[Clodagh]

I am very lucky and it is very extravangant having RUK now you have to sign up for a year (bar Frankel flat racing leaves me cold). I'm glad I bit the bullet now though!

 

[Daffodil]

I think I can live with it, although it's not a patch of the old style programme.
We all miss Alastair Down and John Francome, and I personally miss John McCririck (sorry!) and I don't know where Alice Plunkett fits it, if she does at all.

But Nick Luck tries too hard, and as for Graham Cunningham and Rishi Persad, well the less said the better. I can't understand a word Mick F says, and he lacks persona.

It's now just so DULL. The graphics are awful, the racecard reading is barely touched on, and many of the less fancied horses don't even merit a mention, and that childish "jockey's favourites" item, what the heck is that all about?

Previously every presenter was holding a well used copy of the Racing Post. They seem now to have to rely on dodgy graphics.

The paddock-side coverage unfortunately is minimal.

I did like the coverage of Imperial Commander's gallop on Saturday though they could have made more of poor little Katchit's departure.

It's bearable, and has certainly improved, a bit, from the first edition, but I'm now running it alongside RUK and like to think I get the best of both worlds.

 

[Maesfen]

For Alec!

This is the closest I've found for a NH forum and there is a thread about the Morning Line on it. http://www.jumpingforfun.co.uk/

 

[d_morrow]

Quote Honeylight:
I never liked Tommo or Big Mac but there were more colourful & engaged with the viewer than Graham Cunnningham, not sure about Nick Luck either. It almost seems as if they don't like horses that much & would race flies down a window to win a bet.

SPOT ON! I couldn't quite put my finger on it but noe you mention it...
I also had annual leave booked for the festival. Might have to get RUK...

 

[Alec Swan]

For Alec!

This is the closest I've found for a NH forum and there is a thread about the Morning Line on it. http://www.jumpingforfun.co.uk/

Thank you dear.

Alec.

 

[AdorableAlice]

Here we go then, Cheltenham, decent card but wait..........

Within the first 60 seconds we have Emma Spencer in an outfit that would be more appropriate for a lap dancing club. Why a short coat, loads of leg and silly little cowboy boots.

Look at Sprinter Sacre, now those are legs worth looking at.

 

[MyBoyChe]

I thought Id give C4 another go today as Cheltenham is probably the biggest meeting to air since the new format but Ive reverted to RUK Im afraid. Just cant cope with the ad breaks or that new touch screen thingy and am finding it increasingly annoying. RUK can sometimes be a bit too betting focused for my liking but they do seem to spend more time talking about the horses than C4 are managing and I do like the mix of Lydia, Jonathan & Steve. I still think its £20 per month well spent!

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

I got really tetchy when they replayed the end of the 1.15pm and only follollowed the winner over the last and up the home straight. Didn't even flik back to the others jumping the last which they had plenty of time to do before the leader got to the line. So as yet I haven't seen BSB's fall I have only seen him up on his feet which is the most important thing at the end of the day.

Plus get rid of Emma Spencer!

 

[Miss L Toe]

Rishi Pershad is rubbish. I assume he was kept on as they have to have minorities represented, and that is truly not a racist comment, but an observation. Why do they show so much of the presenters talking? They could talk while showing the horses. I want to see the horses in the paddock. They had put the trainers names up, which was a plus.
I don't like Graham Cunningham at all, he looks a cold old fish.
Hopefully they will take comments on board and the show will develop.

Agree, I watched two thirds of Morning line and half of CH Racing [flipping between live and 4+!].it was a chore rather than a pleasure, I wish I had seen the Rishi / Francome interview, should I ask for a repeat?

 

[Clodagh]

I thought Id give C4 another go today as Cheltenham is probably the biggest meeting to air since the new format but Ive reverted to RUK Im afraid. Just cant cope with the ad breaks or that new touch screen thingy and am finding it increasingly annoying. RUK can sometimes be a bit too betting focused for my liking but they do seem to spend more time talking about the horses than C4 are managing and I do like the mix of Lydia, Jonathan & Steve. I still think its £20 per month well spent!

I didn't bother with C4 at all today and really enjoyed RUK, they showed the horses in the paddock and going down to and at the start, it was very good coverage.
I get so worried when Sprinter Sacre runs I don't know how Nicky Henderson copes at all!

 

[Clodagh]

I got really tetchy when they replayed the end of the 1.15pm and only follollowed the winner over the last and up the home straight. Didn't even flik back to the others jumping the last which they had plenty of time to do before the leader got to the line. So as yet I haven't seen BSB's fall I have only seen him up on his feet which is the most important thing at the end of the day.

Plus get rid of Emma Spencer!

BSBs fall was awful, amazing he got up. On the plus side I don't think he went over on his neck, it looked like he didn't take off at all and went down like a lead weight. My OH said he had never seen a horse fall as close to the fence as that. I think he lay on the jockeys leg too, although as he was so exhausted he didn't try very hard to get up. Poor old boy, at least the ground was soft to land on.

 

[Alec Swan]

BSBs fall was awful, amazing he got up. On the plus side I don't think he went over on his neck, it looked like he didn't take off at all and went down like a lead weight. My OH said he had never seen a horse fall as close to the fence as that. I think he lay on the jockeys leg too, although as he was so exhausted he didn't try very hard to get up. Poor old boy, at least the ground was soft to land on.

And it's posts like that which reinforce, not just my love of jump racing, but the understanding that I'm not alone.

A good post, Clodagh.

Alec.

 

[Dobiegirl]

The racing today was brilliant but that was because of the quality of the horses and racing, Channel 4 still isnt delivering it for me, its lost that cosy tea and crumpets feel. SS was awesome and I was willing Imperial Commander home although pleased for a small stable to win a big prize after losing According To Pete in the National.

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

Just managed to see a replay of BSB's fall - oooft that was nasty! He looked completely beggered and just didn't take off let alone land! Horses are wonderful creatures and survive what you least expect them to. On a more positive note the horse is none the worse for wear, just sore as you would expect and is travelling home to Scotland which is all you can ask for.

 

[splashgirl45]

i enjoyed this weeks racing but its still not up to the previous standard. i really miss john francome and alistair down.....i felt that claire livened it up a bit and at least seemed very enthusiastic , she made it more enjoyable for me....., the rest of them are all very bland and boring IMO....

 

[scotlass]

Just managed to see a replay of BSB's fall - oooft that was nasty! He looked completely beggered and just didn't take off let alone land! Horses are wonderful creatures and survive what you least expect them to. On a more positive note the horse is none the worse for wear, just sore as you would expect and is travelling home to Scotland which is all you can ask for.

So relieved to read your post. Horrible fall.

 

[Honeylight]

Just managed to see a replay of BSB's fall - oooft that was nasty! He looked completely beggered and just didn't take off let alone land! Horses are wonderful creatures and survive what you least expect them to. On a more positive note the horse is none the worse for wear, just sore as you would expect and is travelling home to Scotland which is all you can ask for.

There were some bad falls in the Argento 'Chase, a horse at the rear of the field & Little Josh. Was very surprised the commentator described Little Josh's fall as "soft" because my initial thought was he had broken his neck & I was very relieved to see him get up. The standard of commentary & indeed the camera work, have deteriorated since the new production company took over. Still very little of the horses in the paddock prior to the race & too many interviews & talking heads.
I find it really hard to be interested, even when it is a good days racing like today. I record then rush through the recording to avoid all the dull chat.

 

[Clodagh]

RUK described Little Josh's fall as horrible, he did go over on his neck which I hate to see but thankfully was quickly up. Nice to see Sam T-D jump up to catch him, I hate it when the jockey makes no effort to catch the horse when it would be perfectly possible to do so.
The other horse, a French name, was horrible too, he made so many mistakes and then totally bogged the one he fell at, a bit more time in the schooling ring for him!

 

[Mariposa]

Little Josh's fall looked horrific, the way he went right over on his neck - I was so relieved to see him back on his feet.

I had money on Cape Tribulation but I was so gutted when he caught up to Imperial Commander! IC ran a blinder, and I was pleased that Clare Balding caught up with his owners for a catch up too, they looked close to tears.

And as for Sprinter Sacre, what a machine!