Channel 4 Racing

It's predictable, I only watch part of it, and usually am doing something more interesting, like ironing!
The guys are knowledgeable, I like Nick Luck, but it lacks a "magic ingredient".
 
Judging by the host of negative comments, it was not "just me" thinking that Channel 4 Racing was unsatisfactory.

With a 'bit of luck' - get it! Somebody might just read these posts and take note.

So they have to 'get out of the box' - do you like my little cliches. Irritating I know but not so irritating as a bunch of commentators, droning on about nothing that one can see on the screen. Juch a host of meaningless statistics.

They have to get the camera's down to the paddock preferably with Emma and Catermole. Hopefully John Francome could be lured back and show the horses to the viewing public.

Then those calling the race add some Razzama Tazz.

If a horse and jockey goes down, lets see it. Not this sanitised viewing. "Oh gosh we might hurt the sensitivities of the viewers". Good grief, they want to see the 'carnage' to weigh up the next time the jockey and horse concerned are entered.

If one is physically at the races or pointing, one can see falls!

Also some wit and jolly jokes would not go amiss. We will even put up with a few blue ones.

A top trainer went to church and was seen having a longer than usual pray. Upon leaving and shaking the vicar by the hand. The latter said, "was there anybody special in your prayers - confidentially of course". The trainer leant forward and wispered the name of a horse in the vicar's ear. "Not a chance" said the vicar. "Well what then?" "Listen to my Sermon On The Mount next Sunday".
 
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Use to do my ironing watching the morning line as it's a boring job and the ML use to make it fly by, now there is no enjoyment watching. I hate the way they go thru the card and miss out horses and jockeys and when you see a horse fall and not get up straight away they say they will find out and tell you but never do. I'd like the old format back with out John Mc as he had me throwing things at the telly with his stupid goings on.
 
Its soul less, no one there with a hint of personality apart from the girls, far too much emphasis on betting not enough on the horses, boring really and a shadow of its former self.
 
MrsD123 said:
I suppose the glass cabin is permanent as they need it to transport the glass table around, could we just have one "racecourse studio" presentation, to see it that would still work?
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I saw it when I was at Glorious Goodwood (and anyone who's been to Goodwood will know that the entire course, stands and parade rings have an almost 'pop up garden party' feel to them all) - it stuck out like a sore thumb!! Also, friend and I commented on how much filming channel 4 were doing that wasn't of the racing...
 
I have just realised what "ingredient" is missing from the presentation.....a love of horses. It comes across to me that the majority are not that bothered about the horses at all & only think of them as betting statistics. Where as JF & Big Mac seemed to care about them, & were more knowledgeable. One of the presenters (can't remember who) couldn't differentiate between a bay & a chestnut.
 
Dobiegirl said:
Its soul less, no one there with a hint of personality apart from the girls, far too much emphasis on betting not enough on the horses, boring really and a shadow of its former self.
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I agree, and without question. One might just as well read a newspaper.

I've rather gone along with the changes, albeit reluctantly, but it's when I look back, and remember even that bloody awful man Mccririck, that I'd rather have him than this!

Must Chanel 4 ignore their viewing public, when it seems that even those who are gamblers are less than satisfied? I suspect that eating humble pie, and returning, or restoring the programme to its previous ethos isn't an option.

Alec.
 
I've read through the posts on here and I couldn't agree more. The stupid adverts for betting drive me bonkers along with the presentation (or lack of it)
With a lot of people in financial trouble should advertising betting be allowed (I suppose this is a question to put to Government)
I only watch it so I can see racing as they have the monopoly o mainstream TV, but they should surely start to listen the voice of the people?
Also the diction of some of the presenters leaves a lot to be desired. I have a job to actually understand the horses names at times, although this may be because they rush through it so quickly.
maybe the fact that it is sponsored by Dubai has a lot to do with it?
 
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I don't see why ads on CH Racing are related to content, they don't bet in the Emirates, and I think the idea is to get people to go there on holiday.
I don't mind the comic betting ads, makes a change from meerkats.com
Betting is much more "gambleaware" than years ago, to my mind, if we want to talk about debt and stuff: people seem to think they can just go and buy whatever they want, and that is why they get in to debt. The never save for anything, they "must have" the latest mobile thing, is is all a con, forking out money for non essentials.
Everyone wants to have everything, and that is why they get in to debt.
 
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Another who would like to see more of the horses in the parade ring. I do like the small yard pieces they do but on the "Sam Thomas dark horses" bit, why do the camera angles have to be so bad. Close of mouth of person speaking, then cut away, then jaunty angle of half of face. Just keep the camera either on the horse or on the trainer please.

Must admit not in the least bit bothered as to whether or not any make up worn by female presenters and actually prefer that they don't try to over glamorous them.
 
Echo Bravo said:
Graham Cunningham said the horse was a chestnut when it was a bay offspring of Miss Cricket who was a chestnut.
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Quite clearly, one aspect of the presenters is such that those who concentrate upon figures, have very little understanding or interest in the horse, and vice-versa. Even when standing to attention, Channel 4 Racing has opposing legs of different lengths. For as long as that remains the case, so we'll have these discussions. In a perfect world, we'd have both feet planted firmly on the ground.

Alec.
 
Echo Bravo said:
Graham Cunningham said the horse was a chestnut when it was a bay offspring of Miss Cricket who was a chestnut.
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Red Sherlock is chestnut, by Shirrocco ex Lady Cricket.

The best young racehorse I've seen in a long time. Think he could be a Gold Cup horse.
 
In an attempt to inject some amusement and humor into this thread and racing, herewith an offering:

A vicar wanted to raise money for his church, and being told that there was a fortune in horse racing, he decided to buy a horse at the sales. The prices were very high so he bought a donkey instead. He took the view that since he had it, he might as well enter the donkey and to his surprise the donkey came in third. The next day, the media carried this headline:
vicar's ASS SHOWS"

The vicar was so pleased with the donkey that he entered it again, and this time it won!

The papers read: "Vicar's ASS OUT IN FRONT"

The bishop was somewhat upset with this publicity that he ordered the vicar not to enter his donkey in another race.

The headlines read: "BISHOP SCRATCHES Vicar's ASS"

This was too much for the bishop and he ordered the vicar to get rid of the animal. The vicar decided to give it to a nun in the nearby convent.

The headlines read: "NUN HAS BEST ASS IN TOWN"

The bishop fainted! He informed the nun that she would have to dispose of the donkey. She finally found a farmer willing to buy him for £100.00

The paper read: "NUN sells ASS FOR £100.00"

They buried the bishop the next day. The headline?:

"NUN'S ASS KILLS BISHOP"
 
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Alec Swan said:
As we all do. Do you remember when the "Whip discussion" was taking place? Jim Mcgrath was arguing with God (JF), and when Mcgrath contradicted him, for about the fourth time, JF turned and said "Go on then, you've ridden a few 'orses, you tell us how it should be done"! :wink3: There was laughter in front of and behind the camera!! To his credit, McGrath accepted the criticism with good grace.

Chanel 4 Racing is a poorer place without Mr. Francombe. I also still miss Alistair Downe he's a gifted orator.

Alec.
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Great moment and one we will never have the like of again with this lot in charge.

I too miss Alistair Downe, he added that bit of magic to each days racing.

To be fair I never thought I would consider Alice to be the best bit of Channel 4 racing but I do now.
 
Cricket had the voices of John Arlott and Brian Johnston. Wimbledon had Dan Maskell, and today when we're lucky the voice John Macenroe. Horse racing once had the voices of Downe, Francome and though time has taken him from us, Oaksey. WHEN I would like to know, will Ch4 wake up to the fact that you don't mend what isn't borken, and what works well?

Rebranding loses far more followers than it ever attracts.

Alec.
 
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However in response to Alec, many people on this forum & others did think it was broken. There was much criticism of McCruik & Derek Thompson. Sometimes not a lot of the horses pre-race were shown as Tommo was going round Shopping Villages & catering tents, interviewing the audience & minor celebrities. In the old days when it was John Oaksey, well that was completely different coverage, knowledgeable, respectful to horses & quality all round. Then we had Jimmy Lindley on the BBC & their flat coverage was excellent, whilst ITV's jumping just had the edge.
 
also, OP - we need horses! but joking aside I don't think anyone could say Mick Fitz isn't knowledgeable. But JF was THE BEST- articulate, honest, had his own opinions and gave them, could be serious or VERY funny (and very good looking :) ). But Rishi- I have to turn off when that pratt comes on.......
 
stormox said:
but joking aside
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No No Stormox we have to have jokes and gags - gags:).

I am on a crusade to inject some laughter, badinage, jocular double entendres.

Surely Claire as a top flight presenter has a whole raft of jolly jokes. If she can't remember them. All she needs is some flunky prompting her in her ear piece.

I can well imagin the gals at Pony Club Camp. I would have willingly filled haynets for them:cool: If one was a willing Sycophantic Toady, filling haynets generated considerable favour.
 
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I have just watched today's Channel 4 racing. To be honest, I watched most of it in fast forward. There were no features on individual horses, in all but one race the horses were already at the start when we first saw them. Without the horses in the paddock, I find it hard to engage in the racing. It's not good enough. No passion, no humour, no love for the horse. If I wanted the attheraces channel I would have subscribed to it.
I wanted the eloquence of Downe for Terry's obituary.
No one was there to capture what it would have meant to Oaksey seeing Carruthers battle on so bravely.
MF does his best but he's no JF
I don't know if I have the patience to keep watching
 
claracanter said:
I have just watched today's Channel 4 racing. To be honest, I watched most of it in fast forward. There were no features on individual horses, in all but one race the horses were already at the start when we first saw them. Without the horses in the paddock, I find it hard to engage in the racing. It's not good enough. No passion, no humour, no love for the horse. If I wanted the attheraces channel I would have subscribed to it.
I wanted the eloquence of Downe for Terry's obituary.
No one was there to capture what it would have meant to Oaksey seeing Carruthers battle on so bravely.
MF does his best but he's no JF
I don't know if I have the patience to keep watching
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I think this is a bit harsh, I've watched racing for years on the bbc and channel 4 and maybe we need to be a bit more grateful that channel 4 have continued such extensive coverage. I enjoyed the racing today, some of you are complaining for the sake of it, they are covering 2 meetings most weeks so races every 15 minutes or so and advert breaks to fit in, I for one find it hard to see how they could do it better....
 
It was a very busy day yesterday, they showed 8 races. I think they did OK, I quite like it and although I subscribe to RUK I tend to go to terrestrial once they start. Mick Fitz is great and the reason J McGrath did the obit was beacuse he knew Terry Biddlecombe very well. Not at all knocking Alistair Down, his oratory is superb.

Rishi has really improved, he has learned a lot. How anyone could mourn the moving on of John Mcirick is beyond me, the man was the biggest ****** on telly.
 
Not to mention the Morning Line failed to pick up on the fact that their Morning Line guest, Sam Twiston-Davies has landed the plumb ride on Big Bucks, which was in Sat mornings papers. I loathe Big Mac, but he would have picked that up straight away.

Very pleased we still have racing on terrestrial tv, but Chan 4 do need to have a think about their presentation. I don’t think the presenters are lacking in knowledge or even presenting skills, but they are ham strung with a poor format. I do wish Mick Fitz would try to tip something other than a Nicky Henderson horse :)
 
KautoStar1 said:
Not to mention the Morning Line failed to pick up on the fact that their Morning Line guest, Sam Twiston-Davies has landed the plumb ride on Big Bucks, which was in Sat mornings papers. I loathe Big Mac, but he would have picked that up straight away.

Very pleased we still have racing on terrestrial tv, but Chan 4 do need to have a think about their presentation. I don’t think the presenters are lacking in knowledge or even presenting skills, but they are ham strung with a poor format. I do wish Mick Fitz would try to tip something other than a Nicky Henderson horse :)
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In fairness it wasn't made public til after the ML had aired.

Loads of speculation on twitter given PN's piece on Betfair, then the Telegraph article!

http://betting.betfair.com/horse-ra...be-riding-big-bucks-this-season-120114-9.html

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/ho...cision-to-snub-stable-jockey-Darly-Jacob.html

Bit messy!!
 
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