Chanel 4 racing and Claire Balding.

[Maesfen]

The racing itself was first class, shame the same can't be said about the programme; it's dire now.
Emma Spencer looked like a cheap tart.
Should be called Ch4 Betting the time they spend talking about nothing else and all those replays of the same thing is boring; let's see the horses in the paddock as before.
It was better with Claire and Mick in the paddock but they can stuff the studio with the stuffed betting shirts in it, they're a waste of space, I'd rather have Big Mac and that's saying something..

 

[Miss L Toe]

The racing itself was first class, shame the same can't be said about the programme; it's dire now.
Emma Spencer looked like a cheap tart.
Should be called Ch4 Betting the time they spend talking about nothing else and all those replays of the same thing is boring; let's see the horses in the paddock as before.
It was better with Claire and Mick in the paddock but they can stuff the studio with the stuffed betting shirts in it, they're a waste of space, I'd rather have Big Mac and that's saying something..

Big Mac was the joker in the pack, Tommo made it a pair, ...... Alister Down a professional, Francome a proper horseman, and very knowlegeable,,,,,,,,
I don't beleive Clare B can pull it together, she will find her strings being pulled by the producer.

 

[chrissie1]

I said from the start that I couldn't abide Emma Spencer, nothing has changed. We are behind with watching it as we record it to watch when time allows, so haven't seen much yet, but we were grateful that the limited amount we have seen we didn't get CB 'overkill' as, clever as she is, we both find her rude and for some reason don't like her style, although most people do.

I remeber a few years back they started a sort of 'Race of the Day' half hour programme every lunchtime, that was all about betting. Didn't last.

 

[Alec Swan]

....... I'd rather have Big Mac and that's saying something..

I was going to say that I wonder if we'll ever rue the day when we were glad to see the back of him!

If this forum is a reasonable cross section of the public which shows an interest in racing, I'm wondering what the Ch4 producers, OR importantly, their sponsors think of the general public response. I suppose that the bulk of those who advertise, and so support the programme, are actually only interested in reaching the gambling viewers, so perhaps they will have their way. Dunno!!

On the Emma Spencer front, as she's never (in my view, anyway), contributed much to the programme, it surprises me that she's still there. I've always seen her as being a little out of her depth, and better suited to a but perhaps that's just me.

Alec.

 

[justabob]

Should be re-named Channel 4 Betting.

 

[Honeylight]

Should be re-named Channel 4 Betting.

I posted on the Racing Forum & they seem to be liking it on there, but then I think the members are mainly males who bet. They like all the analysis. I think there is far too much studio & betting stuff, too many interviews & not enough of the horses. I have been watching tracing since I was five years old; I am really beginning to lose interest.

 

[SueD]

What a shower...
Claire, Simon Holt and Mick Fitzgerald the only professionals amongst them.

Who decided that a bloke with a dodgy tan would look good in a turquoise shirt and a pink tie?
Was Emma Spencer on her way to a hen party in Romford?

The racing from Cheltenham yesterday was superb. My heart went out to Imperial Commander. Some terrific performances by horses and jockeys.

I can't vote with my feet as I don't have sky or cable tv. At least the 6 nations starts soon so I can channel hop

 

[Clodagh]

I think the non sdtop gamblers will have ATR or RUK, to my mind C4 should be for the horsey loving public. My mother-in-law has always liked to sit down on a Saturday afternoon and watch the racing but she won't any more, it is a shame and there must be others like her. It will end up doing racing a power of no good.
Racing for change has been disbanded I think? Is there anyone other than C4 itself worth moaning to?

 

[justabob]

I thought Alice Plunkett was on the team, or did I dream it? Much better than Emma Spencer for NH racing.

 

[teapot]

I thought Alice Plunkett was on the team, or did I dream it? Much better than Emma Spencer for NH racing.

She's on maternity leave I would think

 

[Nosey]

Mick fitz falls well short of john francome whose space I presume he was supposed to fill. JF was so to the point & everything he said was insightful & interesting whereas MF just waffles. No atmosphere / banter in the studio its boring. I like Nick luck but he's up against it I think. Agree re Emma Spencer..she just looks to be performing a weather girl function & looks quite inappropriate really. Missing the old team that's for sure.

 

[Daffodil]

It was pretty ghastly but I was utterly transfixed by the quantities of pan stick on Nick Luck and Graham C's faces. And as for Emma Spencer.........

 

[Alec Swan]

Is anyone feeling brave enough to suggest to Ch4 that they have a read of this forum?

I suspect that a reality check wouldn't go amiss.

Alec.

 

[KautoStar1]

I’ve not seen much of the new Chan 4 coverage, but whatever its like, I am pleased we still have racing on terrestrial tv. The BBC have sold out to football and motor racing and although I have RUK and ATR, I tend to only watch them for replays and the occasional feature. I keep trying to get rid of RUK as it’s a total waste of £20 a month, but every time I go to phone them to cancel my subscription I then wonder how I’m going to see the last 2 races of the day during the Festival and talk myself into keeping it ‘just a bit longer’ !!

There is nothing new about the huge number of ad breaks as that was a problem with the previous production company. And if it wasn’t for the Dubai sponsorship then there wouldn’t have been any Chan 4 racing at all a few years back.

Change is always difficult to accept, even if the previous format and presenters weren’t perfect, we still feel a certain affection / loyalty to them. I do miss Alistair Down and I find Rischi Persad an irritating little twerp, but on the whole I can live with what I’ve seen so far and hopefully as they find their feet things will improve.

Use it or lose it would be my suggestion.

 

[Miss L Toe]

All that is needed is an undo, Francome won't come back, Mick Fitz won't last long, that is for sure, but there will be better people available, ex jocks are not all Francome's.
We need another colourful character, there must be an replacement for McCrirrock, surely.

 

[Alec Swan]

....... ex jocks are not all Francome's.
We need another colourful character, there must be an replacement for McCrirrock, surely.

I'd volunteer, except for the irrefutable fact, that I haven't a clue what I'm talking about!

An interesting point was raised by KS1, in that it was Middle Eastern money which put Ch4 Racing on the map in the first place, or at least supported it, and, as how ever naff we may see their advertising (and in truth, it is), perhaps we shouldn't be quite so quick to bite the hand.

"The Arab don't get British taste", sadly.

Alec.

 

[Maesfen]

Use it or lose it would be my suggestion.

I have no option as no cable/satellite to fall back on which is why it's such a shame it has gone so badly downhill; Cheltenham, Aintree and Ascot just won't be the same; not so much because of the new team but the way the whole programme is done now.

It's not the Dubai connection that irks me, it's those flaming bookie's ads who must think we're all morons they're so cruciatingly bad.

 

[EAST KENT]

All that is needed is an undo, Francome won't come back, Mick Fitz won't last long, that is for sure, but there will be better people available, ex jocks are not all Francome's.
We need another colourful character, there must be an replacement for McCrirrock, surely.

Why would JF not come back??

 

[Double_choc_lab]

I watched Cheltenham via RUK and thought the coverage was excellent. They only had the one meeting so were able to spend time in the paddock with a guy I'd not seen before (Olly I believe). The only shock of the day was seeing what I thought was a TOWIE actress on the track with a long microphone. Turned out it was C4s Emma Spencer.

 

[KautoStar1]

The ad breaks have been this way for ages, including the silly bookies ads. Don’t forget most of the links are scripted so Mick Fitz et al are just saying what’s on the auto cue in front of them. We were spoilt with Johnny F who regularly used to go off script and tell naughty jokes, especially when Ted Walsh was with him. God, they used to make me laugh. I think they are trying to be a bit more ‘grown up’ and as a consequence its appearing a bit sterile.

I didn’t see what Emma Spencer was wearing on Sat, but she is usually well dressed but perhaps for the flat rather than jumping ? Thought she was only covering the flat, but presume she is filling in for Alice P at the moment. I don’t mind her adding a bit of glamour IF she is knowledgeable about her subject. She has been brought up in a racing yard and has ridden all her life, plus she was married to Jamie so her insight into all things racing must be reasonable. I’ve never been offended by her as she always seems bright and cheery (as well as glamorous). Unlike Tanya Stevenson who always seems miserable and you’d think in the days when everyone is styled, someone at Chan 4 would get a grip of her and tidy her up. Maybe she misses Mac ! The only other loud mouth I can think of in the same style is Matt Chapman but he’s got ATR sown up and hours of air time to himself !!!!

I think their coverage of the big meetings will be most interesting and the BBC always used to cover Ascot and Aintree very well and as it’s the same production team hopefully they’ll pull out all the stops.

 

[FinalFurlong]

I love clare balding i think she's an amazing presenter with so much class!!

Mick Fitz can be dull at times but i do like him a lot however i preferred him during the bbc's coverage.

Nick Luck is dull.

Graham Cunningham needs a slap round the face.

Rishi Persad i think he could be better during flat racing

Why the hell they put emma spencer on during a top class JUMPS meeting at cheltenham i have no idea as she is a flat racing presenter and she was dressed like a complete idiot.

I LOVED richard pitman and willie carson when they presented with clare with the bbc, I wish they would bring them in for the national and royal ascot

The opening credits, well that freaky jockey who looks like a wax work is weird, is it an actual person?! i cant tell!

They have improved the racecard thing thank god!! As nobody could read it before.

Still, nowhere near as good as the BBC (why didn't the bbc's producer get to do the racing instead of IMG?! angers me) And to be honest i dont think it ever will be sadly

Just graham cunningham completely irritates me he is pure DULL

 

[FinalFurlong]

I have emailed channel 4 with the link to the forum with a message saying i hope they find it useful to improve the coverage.

No need to thank me

 

[Maesfen]

Lol, FF, I thought about doing that and then promptly forgot so yes, I will thank you.

 

[AdorableAlice]

My precious, saved, four days of annual leave for the festival have been put aside for foal watching. I cannot justify keeping them to watch a wannabe pole dancer, a boring betting chap and Rishi Perpratt. I will record and fast forward between the races.

End of an era for me !!

 

[Racergirl]

I’ve not seen much of the new Chan 4 coverage, but whatever its like, I am pleased we still have racing on terrestrial tv. The BBC have sold out to football and motor racing and although I have RUK and ATR, I tend to only watch them for replays and the occasional feature. I keep trying to get rid of RUK as it’s a total waste of £20 a month, but every time I go to phone them to cancel my subscription I then wonder how I’m going to see the last 2 races of the day during the Festival and talk myself into keeping it ‘just a bit longer’ !!

There is nothing new about the huge number of ad breaks as that was a problem with the previous production company. And if it wasn’t for the Dubai sponsorship then there wouldn’t have been any Chan 4 racing at all a few years back.

Change is always difficult to accept, even if the previous format and presenters weren’t perfect, we still feel a certain affection / loyalty to them. I do miss Alistair Down and I find Rischi Persad an irritating little twerp, but on the whole I can live with what I’ve seen so far and hopefully as they find their feet things will improve.

Use it or lose it would be my suggestion.

Havent read the whole thread, but this bit made me want to answer - get thee a betfair account, put a bet of £2 on each race and you can watch online

 

[Miss L Toe]

Why would JF not come back??

He left voluntarily, presumably when he saw the way things were going, and now he is leading the Oaksey Foundation, that will be pretty much full time.

 

[Miss L Toe]

Havent read the whole thread, but this bit made me want to answer - get thee a betfair account, put a bet of £2 on each race and you can watch online

Exactly, for those who want to bet there are plenty of options, I use WHill, the craic in the studio is fantastic, and if i want to watch a race, it is a £1 bet.

 

[Louise12]

I love RUK so don’t generally watch C4. You can’t beat Lydia Hislop and Jonathan Neeson/Steve Mellish. Hopefully we will see less of Nick Luck now. Rishi Persad is seriously underrated. He’s excellent in the studio on RUK and always gets the best from the panel. He has a rubbish job on BBC/C4 trying to interview people in the paddock, it makes you look a tool (just like Tracey on RTE). I find Claire Balding rude and dismissive, and simply can’t see why people rave about her. I flipped over to C4+1 on Saturday to see if there were any further interviews with Malcolm Jefferson, and wasn’t long switching off again. Won’t be looking in again unless they are showing a non-RUK track, although the much lauded Simon Holt is not a patch on Richard Hoiles. Ollie Bell is the paddock person that someone was asking about in an earlier post. He’s a nephew of Michael Bell if memory serves.

 

[Clodagh]

He left voluntarily, presumably when he saw the way things were going, and now he is leading the Oaksey Foundation, that will be pretty much full time.

I believe he left out of loyalty to the sacked director of the old C4 racing team. He was great.

 

[Daffodil]

"Rishi Persad is seriously underrated".

Under rated ?????????????