Spot on Michael.... I never rated Hamner as a race caller personally his voice didn't live up to the excitement of any race. Wilson was admirable the times he filled in for O'Sullevan on the BBC.
What's interesting in that 77' National is that Red Rum doesn't get mentioned until around Canal Turn on the first circuit, a great ride on the first circuit.

I cannot recall hearing Hanmer do any other racing, on track etc,, other than BBC back up. He was mainly the spotter for Sir Peter and later Aussie Jim. He did of course commentate on the last of Frankie's Ascot 7 when the BBC coverage had ended

I agree, his voice was certainly not that of a top sports commentator. Always sounded like he needed to blow his nose

On the odd occasion when the BBC covered two meetings I recall he was used as commentator for the lesser of the two meetings.

Andrew Thornton on the Sunday Forum today.
Excellent, opinionated, informative and backs everything up. ITV could look at him for the jockey expert over cuddly Fitzy.

Used to see John every day with his dog between 2003 and 2007 as we lived in the same village. I would agree that, although a charming gent, his voice did not naturally lend itself to sports commentary!

He was very good................it was an excellent show all round today

I don't normally enjoy TV or Radio when people are talking over each other but today worked quite well

I thought some of Thornton's arguments were weak. I don't like the argument that 'the best horse wouldn't win' if they did away with the whip. A different horse might win but we'd call that one the 'best horse' so the best horse would still win and we'd talk about the one that won as the best horse. The horse that wins the Derby would still be the Derby winner and will still go down in history

I also don't like it when professional sportsmen resort to 'how many winners have you ridden'

But he stood his ground, was articulate, showed a great sense of humour and didn't take himself too seriously

A good addition to the panel !

Personally found the Sunday Forum to be pretty unwatchable yesterday thanks to McCririck. I really hope he plays no part in ITV's coverage.

Too much time was wasted on the whip subject, a debate that's already been done to death, which couldn't even be considered topical.

The newspaper columnist might as well have not been there. Could barely get a word in edgeways.

I couldn't possibly see any hope for Big Mac now. I didn't dislike him like others, because I could take him for what he was. A pantomime figure there to get reaction.
But times have changed and people get offended by anything, couldn't even see a comeback for Francome as he could be near the knuckle.

Big Mac was usually amusing if self opinionated but I don't see him being part of the ITV team. As for Francome I always remember him calling Tommo a tosser on the Morning Line a number of years back but I don't think he has any desire to return to TV. Tommo as ever took it admirably and carried on regardless.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5v3DfpVwZlA

John Hanmer was a regular course commentator as well as doing all the shoulder races for BBC that they didn't show live and I believe he was a jockey's agent too

Some rumours going around already about who will be involved in the ITV programme.

Apparently the main host will be of the "celebrity" variety, so rules out Racing UK and At The Races presenters.

It's going to be Jeremy Kyle, isn't it?

How sad if that's the case.

Francome has just been interviewed on ATR.

Still a great character. ITV should move mountains for him.

However, he was asked about ITV "I've got no interest in going back to TV. Those days are over, I hope things pick up but they have a big task ahead of them"

Racing UK just retweeted someone comment about Cheltenham festival being in HD so presume they must be launching their HD channel for then.

Racing UK to increase it's charge from 1 March 2016 to pay for HD.

http://www.racinguk.com/pricing

Is Racing UK going to be available in HD on Virgin Media?
Unfortunately not, at least not at the moment. Racing UK is launching on Sky only in March, but we’ll be looking to extend this to Virgin Media in the future at some point. Virgin Media customers can now watch Racing UK on multiple devices through the Virgin TV Anywhere service.

Hereford racecourse to reopen in October 2016.

What is the price increase?

From £20 to £24.98?

It isn't exactly clear from the link - or maybe there is another page that says what the rise is?

When the channel first launched in 2004, Racing UK showcased live racing from 30 courses on one TV platform at a monthly subscription cost of £20. 12 years later that £20 is now worth the equivalent £28.25, while our members can watch Racing UK live racing from 34 courses on up to three devices of their choice for a monthly subscription costs of £24.98.

I know - I can read that.

It doesn't actually say that the price today is £20 - though the implication is that it is.

Racing UK is currently £22.98 per month on sky. £20 on virgin

Thanks a lot.

Some creative accounting going on there - CPI for Jan 2005 to December 2015 shows only a 28.5% increase in prices (ETA: £5.70, rather than £8.25).

Well as there is a year to go before it starts it is just a rumour. Secondly, if it is true, despite me not liking Jeremy Kyle I think it would be a sensible appointment. ITV want the show to be a hit, they want to win back the casual viewer. Employing an ATR or RUK host as front man would go completely against that. Channel 4 failed by doing something like that, ITV want to learn from their mistakes.

Well if it is, I'm looking forward to the lie detector results to find out if a well known jocket was indeed caught in the shower with a well known trainer's wife a few years ago!

Getting the lie detector out for stewards inquiries would be a step in the right direction