New ITV racing line up

Alec Swan said:
You're right, and it's to be expected. That said though, Ch4 listened to their critics and their presentations evolved and became acceptable.

I wonder why there's no coverage now until the Cheltenham Festival, unless of course we want to subscribe and pay for it. I wonder what those who are being courted and to advertise on the programme think of it all. It's all a bit shambolic, I think, and if others don't care for those who moan, tough luck! :D

Alec.
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But if you checked your facts and listened to what was said today you will have heard them explain that it's on itv4. And as we all now have to have digital tv you will get that on a smart tv or through your set box whether that's sky or a free view box. So you won't miss anything. You'll get about as much as you had before.
 
I think VP is an occasional extra. I was faintly optimistic that John Francombe gave an interview, perhaps he can be tempted back.
 
To be honest, I was expecting a much more dumbed down ITV affair. However, there wasn't enough coverage of horses in the paddock or going down to the start and only one(?) trainer interview at Cheltenham.I was disappointed not to hear Nicky talking about Whisper.

I remember Channel 4 had criticism about the graphics not being right and I felt the same about ITV but I'm sure they will address it just like C4 did.

Mick Fitz and Alice were my favourites on C4 so I am happy they have jumped across. Luke Harvey was very animated and AP less so, their partnership could develop really well.

Did wonder why Victoria Pendleton was there but then some of the things she said to Alice about training and variables compared to cycling was quite interesting.

The weather girl was a bit unnecessary but I remember the girls out in the rain as some other posters mentioned on C4 a few years ago!

On the whole I thought it was a great start
 
Hated the opening graphics in the theatre, won't watch them again!

Thought it was a comic operation with no cover for the presenters, were ITV trying to save money not taking a studio down there for the one day? Okay for the summer but mid winter, was a bit much and they all looked perished which I thought was very shoddy; bet they all needed a few brandies to warm up again.

I think VP will grow if she covers the interesting back scene things and hopefully she'll bring newcomers into it more, was interesting her cycling regime against riding and good that she played on the variables about horses not being machines, how different things affect them which non-horsey don't appreciate. Why do they need a weather woman FGS, anyone can see if it's raining or not?
I love Marmite but hated MC, shades of a young JMcC and we don't need him back again thanks very much, would much rather have had Tanya than him. Was a delight not to see the Dubai connection again considering their horrendous treatment of horses and cheating record, good riddance to them.
The graphics weren't fantastic, hope they improve them too. Watching Mick and Alice and listening to Richard, it was like welcoming old friends back.
Do hope they give more paddock time; we don't need a rerun of the whole previous race again, they could drop that for a start.

Lukewarm like ATM, we should come back in a month and see how it is with everyone again I think.
 
Hated the opening graphics in the theatre, won't watch them again!

Thought it was a comic operation with no cover for the presenters, were ITV trying to save money not taking a studio down there for the one day? Okay for the summer but mid winter, was a bit much and they all looked perished which I thought was very shoddy; bet they all needed a few brandies to warm up again.

I think VP will grow if she covers the interesting back scene things and hopefully she'll bring newcomers into it more, was interesting her cycling regime against riding and good that she played on the variables about horses not being machines, how different things affect them which non-horsey don't appreciate. Why do they need a weather woman FGS, anyone can see if it's raining or not?
I love Marmite but hated MC, shades of a young JMcC and we don't need him back again thanks very much, would much rather have had Tanya than him. Was a delight not to see the Dubai connection again considering their horrendous treatment of horses and cheating record, good riddance to them.
The graphics weren't fantastic, hope they improve them too. Watching Mick and Alice and listening to Richard, it was like welcoming old friends back.
Do hope they give more paddock time; we don't need a rerun of the whole previous race again, they could drop that for a start.

Lukewarm like ATM, we should come back in a month and see how it is with everyone again I think.
 
It really wasn't that bad! I think it was a good start and they'll learn, improve and we'll all grow used to the new presenters ( even Matt Chapman...maybe...). They can't please everyone, but at least they are throwing everything at it, which is great for the sport we all love.
 
Agree with Mariposa......Im just so glad to have racing on tv ,:-) cant get racing uk and atr no good as my internet too slow so keeps buffering..i was pleasantly surprised in some ways to see Alice,AP,Mick and thought Ed Chamberlin seemed really good so if thats the only way to watch racing now then im happy,better than nothing at all and think they will be doing some behind the scenes stuff which i love, by the look of it.
Can see what people mean about graphics, i like to see who is the trainer/jockey etc so hopefully that will get improved.
 
Well let it bed in. Agree about not liking the graphics, but glad to see racing on TV.

I thought Victoria Pendleton's comments were interesting really, about the difference between human training and horse training. It is sometimes good to have a complete outsider's view on things, as horse people have their own language.

I thought that far from being a minority sport, after football, racing is the most attended sport in the UK.
 
Orangehorse said:
Well let it bed in. Agree about not liking the graphics, but glad to see racing on TV.

I thought Victoria Pendleton's comments were interesting really, about the difference between human training and horse training. It is sometimes good to have a complete outsider's view on things, as horse people have their own language.

I thought that far from being a minority sport, after football, racing is the most attended sport in the UK.
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Yes I agree with you. Things just need to settle. I actually like VP. She has really grown on me. She is clearly talented and gutsy but she is also intelligent and thoughtful. I think she will be a good link for the non horsey people.

I think racing is the most attended sport after football in terms of people through the turn stiles but from a tv viewing perspective it's pretty low.

We are lucky itv have picked it up. And I enjoyed it. Yes there are some things to improve on but that will come as they find their feet. And I know Chapman is marmite but he brings a bit of theatre to the betting ring which was sadly lacking with Tanya Stevenson.
 
Alec Swan said:
Why were the pundits standing out in the pouring rain? Who were the two giggling clowns who stood either side of AP?

I felt sorry for Mick Fitzgerald, he must have felt as though he was trying to shag a hedgehog, one prick working against hundreds.
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I just spat tea across the floor laughing reading that.

It was okay. Like a lot of people, I'm just pleased to still have racing on terrestrial TV.

The presenters need an indoor studio. AP looked frozen. Luke Harvey sounds like a chipmunk on acid and Matt Chapman was trying far too hard. Ed Chamberlain okay and I can cope with Alice Plunkett (especially now that Emma Spencer's services have been dispensed with at last).

However, the actual racing was fine, and it was good to see Musselburgh getting a bit of coverage.

Happy to give ITV the benefit of the doubt at the moment.
 
I think they were taking a lot of ideas from ATR, the all shouting at each toher and clowning around, and the standing outside, it bore more similarities to ATR and RUK than the old C4, IMO.
 
Lots to improve on I think, but watchable. I thought the graphics were horrid, maybe I just need to get used to them! No issue with the presenters being outside but they do need to rethink their attire, as most seem to be ex jockeys Im sure they can cope with a bit of rain although Im sure a studio would help with the overall presentation and encourage some engaging banter. Matt Chapman, couldnt stand him on ATR but I did think today he was a bit more toned down. For those who watch RUK, I have to say I prefer him to Dave Nevison, their latest betting guru. The man stutters and stumbles over his words, and completely unforgiveable in my book, refers to horses as "that thing" when he cant remember a name :( I was pleasantly surprised by VP, I do think that she will provide some interesting articles, she is an intelligent girl and seems to have a genuine new found interest. Looking forward to some of her stuff. I was struggling to hear Richard Hoiles at times, not sure if it was a racecourse problem. Overall it will be interesting to see how they develop. In the main I watch RUK but always used to watch C4 on the big racing days as their insights into some of the yards and owners were good, so will probably do the same for a while and see what happens.
 
MyBoyChe said:
Lots to improve on I think, but watchable. I thought the graphics were horrid, maybe I just need to get used to them! No issue with the presenters being outside but they do need to rethink their attire, as most seem to be ex jockeys Im sure they can cope with a bit of rain although Im sure a studio would help with the overall presentation and encourage some engaging banter. Matt Chapman, couldnt stand him on ATR but I did think today he was a bit more toned down. For those who watch RUK, I have to say I prefer him to Dave Nevison, their latest betting guru. The man stutters and stumbles over his words, and completely unforgiveable in my book, refers to horses as "that thing" when he cant remember a name :( I was pleasantly surprised by VP, I do think that she will provide some interesting articles, she is an intelligent girl and seems to have a genuine new found interest. Looking forward to some of her stuff. I was struggling to hear Richard Hoiles at times, not sure if it was a racecourse problem. Overall it will be interesting to see how they develop. In the main I watch RUK but always used to watch C4 on the big racing days as their insights into some of the yards and owners were good, so will probably do the same for a while and see what happens.
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My viewing prctices are the same as yours. I also cannot bear the betting man they have now. One RUK presenter I really like is the guy with the beard who talks about the horses in the paddock, he really knows his onions and comes across brilliantly, he is not probably not sparkly enough for mainstream tv though.
 
Are ITV going to do a 'Morning Line' type programme at all? I cant seem to find anything in the TV schedules. Enjoyed having something to watch while I had breakfast on Saturdays.
 
stormox said:
Its a pity its so late- I will be up and out by then!! Do they think horsey folks lay in bed on a Sat morning??
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They did market research within the industry and this was the most popular time slot for various reasons not least for getting trainers etc in the studio without disrupting their day to much Dont forget it will also be available on ITV4+1 or even later on the ITV player.
 
I am going to start to watch tomorrow, I only lasted 15minutes last week. If it is dump down talk I will take out the sub to the racing channel. I cannot imagine Cheltenham with this lot.
 
It was much, much better this afternoon. Matt Chapman was restrained and bearable. The other presenters came over well this week. I actually observed something new....me not pausing and doing jobs so I could fast forward, as I have been doing for the last few years. I sat and watched it live. Liked the little clips like the one about the Grakle and hope Cecil will get his own regular spot. Caught a bit of the morning show and really liked the interview with Joseph O Brien and especially enjoyed the visit to Kingsclere. All in all a thumbs up this week.
I also have noticed a much more horse centred approach and an example of this was the genuine pleasure from the presenters when Dynaste's retirement was announced. It remains to be seen how they will react to a fatality.
 
Honeylight ^^^^ This. As you say, there's a marked change over last week, whereby the presenters took a real interest in the horse, and its very being. What a treat the interview with Sarah(?) the girl who does Dynaste was, as you say and conducted in such a way by Alice P and with her usual charm, the delight was obvious that the horse is now to retire.

I missed the 10 o'clock preview because, like others, I was busy with work, which was a shame. If they put it on at 06:00 I'll get up to watch it!

The picture quality, apart from the dense fog at Wincanton, was a vast improvement on Ch4. They often say that they'll give an update on the fallers, and like Ch4 they often don't.

An improvement, none the less.

Alec.
 
I recorded the morning show and managed to get home just in time to watch it before the racing started. Enjoyed it and think it has potential, I do like Oli though :) The afternoon coverage I thought was a big improvement on last week and better than C4 on the whole. Nice mix of presenters and having hated Matt on ATR Im finding him pleasantly subdued on ITV, I hope he continues like this as I think hes quite a nice guy, I just found him a bit OTT before. They seem quite a switched on bunch and I think it is going to get better with practise. I shall keep watching for now :)
 
I watched this afternoon and found it perfectly pleasant....

It's not the down /francome /mcgrath show any more sadly, but it's no worse than the last couple of years on c4 and hopefully itv will continue to take on board feedback and improve. .

Fiona
 
Alec Swan said:
Honeylight ^^^^ This. As you say, there's a marked change over last week, whereby the presenters took a real interest in the horse, and its very being. What a treat the interview with Sarah(?) the girl who does Dynaste was, as you say and conducted in such a way by Alice P and with her usual charm, the delight was obvious that the horse is now to retire.

I missed the 10 o'clock preview because, like others, I was busy with work, which was a shame. If they put it on at 06:00 I'll get up to watch it!

The picture quality, apart from the dense fog at Wincanton, was a vast improvement on Ch4. They often say that they'll give an update on the fallers, and like Ch4 they often don't.

An improvement, none the less.

Alec.
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I had the opposite problem with ITV4, in that it kept looping, so I was terribly distracted, I agree the program seemed more professional, but I only saw half of it.
Is it on catch up?
Re casualties, if a horse is put down there and then, there is a fatality, but its not always cut and dried, and vets are there to attend to the horse, not to do PR.
Those who want the full race details need to buy the Racing Post.
 
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