Big fan of John Hunt on the radio, but Holt is in a class of his own.
Horse Racing on Terrestrial TV
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I agree. I also rate Richard Hoiles, Mark Johnson and Mike Cattermole (who were the course commentators this week at the Cheltenham Festival) as well as Ian Bartlett. Des Scahill is in a class of his own in Ireland although I do rate Jerry Hannon who I have heard at Punchestown.
Originally Posted by IanFergus:
“Des Scahill is in a class of his own in Ireland although I do rate Jerry Hannon who I have heard at Punchestown.”
“Des Scahill is in a class of his own in Ireland although I do rate Jerry Hannon who I have heard at Punchestown.”
Des Scahill used to commentate on Cheltenham for RTE Radio before Tony O'Hehir took over in the early 90s.
His calling of Dawn Run's 1986 Gold Cup win will never be forgotten.
Originally Posted by Shrewn:
“Agree with Darren, I thought Aussie Jim was the best caller through the 1990's but seemed to lose it in recent time. Holt has been fantastic for a long time now and for me is the master of his trade”
“Agree with Darren, I thought Aussie Jim was the best caller through the 1990's but seemed to lose it in recent time. Holt has been fantastic for a long time now and for me is the master of his trade”
Aussie Jim was a lot like Graham Goode, excellent at their peak, but when their calling started to drop off a bit it fell away very quickly.
Originally Posted by IanFergus:
“I agree. I also rate Richard Hoiles, Mark Johnson and Mike Cattermole (who were the course commentators this week at the Cheltenham Festival) as well as Ian Bartlett. Des Scahill is in a class of his own in Ireland although I do rate Jerry Hannon who I have heard at Punchestown.”
“I agree. I also rate Richard Hoiles, Mark Johnson and Mike Cattermole (who were the course commentators this week at the Cheltenham Festival) as well as Ian Bartlett. Des Scahill is in a class of his own in Ireland although I do rate Jerry Hannon who I have heard at Punchestown.”
I heard that RTE took the racecourse commentary this week, is it the first time they have done that at Cheltenham or is it regular?
Generally I enjoyed Channel 4's coverage this week. Clare Balding was excellent and as always Ted Walsh was great value (it would be great if he pops up on the Aintree coverage too).
The main issue for me seems to be 'in the box'. I've never been a huge fan of Nick Luck because he exaggerates and accentuates almost everything he talks about. This week though there were a few occasions where Jim McGrath and Ted Walsh seemed to have had enough of him and knocked him back for things he said or comparisons he made. It'll be interesting to see how things between Luck and McGrath go over the next few weeks.
Simon Holt is an excellent commentator. I don't watch a great deal of horse racing but even as a casual fan of the sport I can tell he is a class apart, each year his commentaries are clear, concise and contain all the information you need.
Of the other racing commentators, I quite like Rupert Bell who commentates/reports on the sport for independent radio and has commentated on the featured races from Cheltenham for talkSPORT over the past three years. Does anyone know who commentated on Sky Sports News Radio's coverage of the Festival this week? I read that they were carrying commentaries from Cheltenham this week, would they have taken an audio feed from Racing UK?
On Channel 4's Cheltenham coverage as a whole: this week has been the first time I've watched Channel 4 Racing since the production company switched from Highflyer to IMG and given the personnel changes (more in respect of the people who have left rather than the people coming in) I was not expecting to have enjoyed their coverage as much as I did, so it was a pleasant surprise to that extent. Clare Balding, Mick Fitzgerald and Rishi Persad all fitted into their coverage seamlessly and I was particularly impressed by Nick Luck (someone I had heard a lot about but only seen a little of previously) in the studio anchor role. It is good that C4R have reconsidered their decision on Alastair Down and have brought him back to do nostalgia pieces, although I would have liked to have seen him used out on the course. Derek Thompson is a big miss from C4R for me, but he has been very good on Radio 5 Live's coverage from what I have heard of that. But all in all, as someone who enjoyed the "old" C4R whenever I caught it and was sceptical about the wholesale changes to it, in my opinion the new set-up has passed the test of their first major meeting with flying colours.
Of the other racing commentators, I quite like Rupert Bell who commentates/reports on the sport for independent radio and has commentated on the featured races from Cheltenham for talkSPORT over the past three years. Does anyone know who commentated on Sky Sports News Radio's coverage of the Festival this week? I read that they were carrying commentaries from Cheltenham this week, would they have taken an audio feed from Racing UK?
On Channel 4's Cheltenham coverage as a whole: this week has been the first time I've watched Channel 4 Racing since the production company switched from Highflyer to IMG and given the personnel changes (more in respect of the people who have left rather than the people coming in) I was not expecting to have enjoyed their coverage as much as I did, so it was a pleasant surprise to that extent. Clare Balding, Mick Fitzgerald and Rishi Persad all fitted into their coverage seamlessly and I was particularly impressed by Nick Luck (someone I had heard a lot about but only seen a little of previously) in the studio anchor role. It is good that C4R have reconsidered their decision on Alastair Down and have brought him back to do nostalgia pieces, although I would have liked to have seen him used out on the course. Derek Thompson is a big miss from C4R for me, but he has been very good on Radio 5 Live's coverage from what I have heard of that. But all in all, as someone who enjoyed the "old" C4R whenever I caught it and was sceptical about the wholesale changes to it, in my opinion the new set-up has passed the test of their first major meeting with flying colours.
Originally Posted by steveh31:
“The boss of Channel 4 racing has acknowledged that the revamp hasn't worked and there are elements missing including the humour brought by John Francome, the pointless interactive desk used by Cunningham and that something isn't right so they are aware of it and looking into making changes.”
“The boss of Channel 4 racing has acknowledged that the revamp hasn't worked and there are elements missing including the humour brought by John Francome, the pointless interactive desk used by Cunningham and that something isn't right so they are aware of it and looking into making changes.”
Source?
Originally Posted by Alex2606:
“I heard that RTE took the racecourse commentary this week, is it the first time they have done that at Cheltenham or is it regular?”
“I heard that RTE took the racecourse commentary this week, is it the first time they have done that at Cheltenham or is it regular?”
I heard this too, that's a major surprise. It's always been BBC/C4 without fail.
Originally Posted by The Difference:
“Does anyone know who commentated on Sky Sports News Radio's coverage of the Festival this week? I read that they were carrying commentaries from Cheltenham this week, would they have taken an audio feed from Racing UK?”
“Does anyone know who commentated on Sky Sports News Radio's coverage of the Festival this week? I read that they were carrying commentaries from Cheltenham this week, would they have taken an audio feed from Racing UK?”
Good chance this would have been Mike Vince as he did it for IRN for many years before the changeover.
Originally Posted by Darren Lethem:
“Simon Holt - superb, absolutely superb.”
“Simon Holt - superb, absolutely superb.”
Sums it up so well Darren, he is way above every racing commentator around at the moment and this Cheltenham was his best ever for me, his description of every race every winner and every call from the final half mile was out of this world, hopefully in time he will be up there as one of the best commentators and he has age so much on his side.
Originally Posted by jda135:
“Source?”
“Source?”
Probably got it from reading too much into a Racing Post piece last Monday - although that did say that changes would be introduced gradually, and only if necessary - rather than rip up the IMG production manual, chuck it into the shredder and slowly relapse back into the Highflyer ways bit by bit.
Originally Posted by Alex2606:
“Aussie Jim was a lot like Graham Goode, excellent at their peak, but when their calling started to drop off a bit it fell away very quickly.
I heard that RTE took the racecourse commentary this week, is it the first time they have done that at Cheltenham or is it regular?
Generally I enjoyed Channel 4's coverage this week. Clare Balding was excellent and as always Ted Walsh was great value (it would be great if he pops up on the Aintree coverage too).
The main issue for me seems to be 'in the box'. I've never been a huge fan of Nick Luck because he exaggerates and accentuates almost everything he talks about. This week though there were a few occasions where Jim McGrath and Ted Walsh seemed to have had enough of him and knocked him back for things he said or comparisons he made. It'll be interesting to see how things between Luck and McGrath go over the next few weeks.”
“Aussie Jim was a lot like Graham Goode, excellent at their peak, but when their calling started to drop off a bit it fell away very quickly.
I heard that RTE took the racecourse commentary this week, is it the first time they have done that at Cheltenham or is it regular?
Generally I enjoyed Channel 4's coverage this week. Clare Balding was excellent and as always Ted Walsh was great value (it would be great if he pops up on the Aintree coverage too).
The main issue for me seems to be 'in the box'. I've never been a huge fan of Nick Luck because he exaggerates and accentuates almost everything he talks about. This week though there were a few occasions where Jim McGrath and Ted Walsh seemed to have had enough of him and knocked him back for things he said or comparisons he made. It'll be interesting to see how things between Luck and McGrath go over the next few weeks.”
I agree, the 3 in the box are just too bland. On the course coverage, commentary and betting seemed fine to me.
Originally Posted by Akilduff:
“Des Scahill used to commentate on Cheltenham for RTE Radio before Tony O'Hehir took over in the early 90s.
His calling of Dawn Run's 1986 Gold Cup win will never be forgotten.”
“Des Scahill used to commentate on Cheltenham for RTE Radio before Tony O'Hehir took over in the early 90s.
His calling of Dawn Run's 1986 Gold Cup win will never be forgotten.”
Dessie seems to have been around for years, how old is he ?
Originally Posted by Akilduff:
“Good chance this would have been Mike Vince as he did it for IRN for many years before the changeover.”
“Good chance this would have been Mike Vince as he did it for IRN for many years before the changeover.”
Thanks for this Akilduff. A websearch tells me that Mike was at Cheltenham this year, with him covering the Festival for (among others) Live 95FM, a UTV Radio-owned station in Ireland serving Limerick. He also provided some pre-Festival interviews for Sky Sports News Radio so I imagine there is a strong chance that he would have at least been reporting for them from Cheltenham if not doing their commentaries on the featured races.
Thanks also to Ian and Alex for the information they provided on Channel 4's coverage over in the Sports Commentators thread.
Originally Posted by Darren Lethem:
“Dessie seems to have been around for years, how old is he ?”
“Dessie seems to have been around for years, how old is he ?”
Dessie would be in his sixties now.
He's still the primary race-caller for Horse Racing Ireland, and the commentaries still go out on At The Races and various Irish radio stations (presumably including RTE).
Dessie was said to have been so unhappy to have been replaced for Cheltenham in the 90s, that he apparently hasn't been back since for the festival.
He told me once he still takes his holidays around Cheltenham time and watches the races, but not in person.
A return for Tom Lee in the betting ring on Channel 4 last Saturday, with a few of the team rested after Cheltenham. Alice Plunkett hosted in the studio with Richard Hoiles joining Rishi at trackside.
Emma Spencer will next be on Channel 4 at the Dubai World Cup on March 30.
Emma Spencer will next be on Channel 4 at the Dubai World Cup on March 30.
Originally Posted by Akilduff:
“Dessie would be in his sixties now.
He's still the primary race-caller for Horse Racing Ireland, and the commentaries still go out on At The Races and various Irish radio stations (presumably including RTE).
Dessie was said to have been so unhappy to have been replaced for Cheltenham in the 90s, that he apparently hasn't been back since for the festival.
He told me once he still takes his holidays around Cheltenham time and watches the races, but not in person.”
“Dessie would be in his sixties now.
He's still the primary race-caller for Horse Racing Ireland, and the commentaries still go out on At The Races and various Irish radio stations (presumably including RTE).
Dessie was said to have been so unhappy to have been replaced for Cheltenham in the 90s, that he apparently hasn't been back since for the festival.
He told me once he still takes his holidays around Cheltenham time and watches the races, but not in person.”
I'm not very keen on Des Scahill on ATR............his style appears to be to list the horses in running from front to back, then back to the front to list them again.............repeat until the race finish
I appreciate it might be difficult to make a story as the race unfolds but he doesn't appear to make much effort, eg to tell us who is going well, who's moving up, who's lost an iron...........anything really that tells the story of what's going on
It's like when you see races from France and the US and they have a bar across the bottom of the screen listing the horse's order by racecard number..........his commentary style appears to be akin to just reading that out time after time until the race is finished.................
Grand National
Channel 4 will have three days of racing coverage with 15 hours of live action.
Clare Balding heads up the expert team of presenters, which also includes Nick Luck, Jim McGrath, Mick Fitzgerald, Graham Cunningham and Ted Walsh. The commentary team will feature Simon Holt, Richard Hoiles and Ian Bartlett.
so thats 5 hours a day.. so really all the races.. that is good, and its great Ted Walsh is back for them again
Channel 4 will have three days of racing coverage with 15 hours of live action.
Clare Balding heads up the expert team of presenters, which also includes Nick Luck, Jim McGrath, Mick Fitzgerald, Graham Cunningham and Ted Walsh. The commentary team will feature Simon Holt, Richard Hoiles and Ian Bartlett.
so thats 5 hours a day.. so really all the races.. that is good, and its great Ted Walsh is back for them again
Originally Posted by coventrywooo:
“Grand National
Channel 4 will have three days of racing coverage with 15 hours of live action.
Clare Balding heads up the expert team of presenters, which also includes Nick Luck, Jim McGrath, Mick Fitzgerald, Graham Cunningham and Ted Walsh. The commentary team will feature Simon Holt, Richard Hoiles and Ian Bartlett.
so thats 5 hours a day.. so really all the races.. that is good, and its great Ted Walsh is back for them again”
“Grand National
Channel 4 will have three days of racing coverage with 15 hours of live action.
Clare Balding heads up the expert team of presenters, which also includes Nick Luck, Jim McGrath, Mick Fitzgerald, Graham Cunningham and Ted Walsh. The commentary team will feature Simon Holt, Richard Hoiles and Ian Bartlett.
so thats 5 hours a day.. so really all the races.. that is good, and its great Ted Walsh is back for them again”
That's good to know, I think a few of us were wondering about who would be used on commentary over the National fences
Just seen the Channel 4 press release for the Grand National and they are making a big deal out of it, theres the team posted above, 15 hours of coverage over the 3 days so I assume that is 5 hours each day. On Grand National Day itself the Morning Line will be on at 9.30am then Sunday Brunch is becoming Saturday Brunch until 1.00pm when the live action starts I assume to 6pm and the Morning Line is airing at 8am on the other 2 days at Aintree
There is also a few extra programmes such as How To Win The Grand National, a Come Dine With Me special and Alan Carr's Grand National Specstacular.
There is also a few extra programmes such as How To Win The Grand National, a Come Dine With Me special and Alan Carr's Grand National Specstacular.
Only five races live per day though so we will miss the Grade One Manifesto Novice Chase (2m4) on Thursday 
Channel 4 are showing signs of improvement.
The show they put out yesterday was excellent, and with Morning Lines on each day at Aintree they are really promoting that too.
The show they put out yesterday was excellent, and with Morning Lines on each day at Aintree they are really promoting that too.
I have always preferred Channel 4 and ITV's racing coverage. The BBC were good for the Grand National, Royal Ascot and Glorious Goodwood, but their other coverage seemed half hearted and Julian Wilson struck me as arrogant and humourless. My faves, sadly two are no longer with us, were Lord Oaksey, John Rickman, Brough Scott, John Penny and Raleigh Gilbert.
Originally Posted by Glenn A:
“I have always preferred Channel 4 and ITV's racing coverage. The BBC were good for the Grand National, Royal Ascot and Glorious Goodwood, but their other coverage seemed half hearted and Julian Wilson struck me as arrogant and humourless. My faves, sadly two are no longer with us, were Lord Oaksey, John Rickman, Brough Scott, John Penny and Raleigh Gilbert.”
“I have always preferred Channel 4 and ITV's racing coverage. The BBC were good for the Grand National, Royal Ascot and Glorious Goodwood, but their other coverage seemed half hearted and Julian Wilson struck me as arrogant and humourless. My faves, sadly two are no longer with us, were Lord Oaksey, John Rickman, Brough Scott, John Penny and Raleigh Gilbert.”
I know Lord Oaksey and Raleigh Gilbert are no longer with us but is John Rickman still around? Surley if he is he must be well into his 90s?
Originally Posted by casinoman13:
“I know Lord Oaksey and Raleigh Gilbert are no longer with us but is John Rickman still around? Surley if he is he must be well into his 90s?”
“I know Lord Oaksey and Raleigh Gilbert are no longer with us but is John Rickman still around? Surley if he is he must be well into his 90s?”
No, John Rickman died in 1997:
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/ob...n-1236582.html
He would have been 100 this year if he was alive.
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