Originally Posted by cook0891:
“Crazy fool.
Some of Holt's commentaries are spine tingling.”
“Crazy fool.
Some of Holt's commentaries are spine tingling.”
He will be really missed. No better big race commentator.
Horse Racing on Terrestrial TV
72 of 80
Holt is well past his best, listening to him stumbling over his words today at Plumpton is embarrassing.
I've never rated him as anything like a top commentator such as Peter O'Sullevan at his best or even Jim McGrath when he first came here.
I'd rather one of the better youngsters like Gareth Topham had got the second role too.
I've never rated him as anything like a top commentator such as Peter O'Sullevan at his best or even Jim McGrath when he first came here.
I'd rather one of the better youngsters like Gareth Topham had got the second role too.
Originally Posted by tony321:
“Holt is well past his best, listening to him stumbling over his words today at Plumpton is embarrassing.
I've never rated him as anything like a top commentator such as Peter O'Sullevan at his best or even Jim McGrath when he first came here.
I'd rather one of the better youngsters like Gareth Topham had got the second role too.”
“Holt is well past his best, listening to him stumbling over his words today at Plumpton is embarrassing.
I've never rated him as anything like a top commentator such as Peter O'Sullevan at his best or even Jim McGrath when he first came here.
I'd rather one of the better youngsters like Gareth Topham had got the second role too.”
I don't think it is possible for me to disagree with this post more
Holt is superb and he was fantastic at Cheltenham this weekend
For me O'Sullevan was good but held in such high esteem because he had done it for so long. Have to say though I always thought Aussie Jim was poor, never a fan. A very poor relation to the ITV/C4 commentators he was up against.
Holt is the best horse racing commentator ever for me and is still number 1.
Originally Posted by Darren Lethem:
“I don't think it is possible for me to disagree with this post more
Holt is superb and he was fantastic at Cheltenham this weekend
For me O'Sullevan was good but held in such high esteem because he had done it for so long. Have to say though I always thought Aussie Jim was poor, never a fan. A very poor relation to the ITV/C4 commentators he was up against.
Holt is the best horse racing commentator ever for me and is still number 1.”
“I don't think it is possible for me to disagree with this post more
Holt is superb and he was fantastic at Cheltenham this weekend
For me O'Sullevan was good but held in such high esteem because he had done it for so long. Have to say though I always thought Aussie Jim was poor, never a fan. A very poor relation to the ITV/C4 commentators he was up against.
Holt is the best horse racing commentator ever for me and is still number 1.”
A bit OTT to say the besr horse racing commentator ever, but I'd say he is the best sports commentator period on terrestrial television (ahead of Steve Cram, Clive Tyldesley, Guy Mowbray and Eddie Butler - in that order)
Originally Posted by Armagideon Time:
“A bit OTT to say the besr horse racing commentator ever, but I'd say he is the best sports commentator period on terrestrial television (ahead of Steve Cram, Clive Tyldesley, Guy Mowbray and Eddie Butler - in that order)”
“A bit OTT to say the besr horse racing commentator ever, but I'd say he is the best sports commentator period on terrestrial television (ahead of Steve Cram, Clive Tyldesley, Guy Mowbray and Eddie Butler - in that order)”
No for me the best racing commentator ever is Simon Holt. Who do you think has been better ?
Originally Posted by Darren Lethem:
“No for me the best racing commentator ever is Simon Holt. Who do you think has been better ?”
“No for me the best racing commentator ever is Simon Holt. Who do you think has been better ?”
Simple; "The Voice" himself, the late great Sir Peter O'Sullevan.
Originally Posted by Armagideon Time:
“Simple; "The Voice" himself, the late great Sir Peter O'Sullevan.”
“Simple; "The Voice" himself, the late great Sir Peter O'Sullevan.”
Not for me
As i said before i think he got so much praise because of the length of time he was around, mainly due to lack of competition and the old boys club at the BBC.
Holt has a wonderful turn of phrase and is great at calling the winner on the turn home
The best news is Lucy Verasamy will be doing the racing weather. 
Surprised ITV took Hoiles over Holt and ITV look to have far too many pundits but good to see the Craven meeting return.
Surprised ITV took Hoiles over Holt and ITV look to have far too many pundits but good to see the Craven meeting return.
The "too many pundits" thing - I can't see it being a bad thing. It isn't as if they'll have 8 pundits on each meeting. You have a small tight team you get complaints that it's boring/same old/stale etc. You have a number on rotation channels get blamed for being too bloated.
A minor point but it seems ITV have asked the Professional Darts Corporation to move two Saturday afternoons of darts to previous days for two events next year, I assume this is an effort to clear ITV4 for the horse racing coverage on Saturdays.
Originally Posted by Tele_Addict1:
“Have ITV confirmed who else will be part of the racing commentary line up?”
“Have ITV confirmed who else will be part of the racing commentary line up?”
Just Hoiles and Johnston
Guess it will be course commentary for the rest.
Originally Posted by Ginger Daddy:
“A minor point but it seems ITV have asked the Professional Darts Corporation to move two Saturday afternoons of darts to previous days for two events next year, I assume this is an effort to clear ITV4 for the horse racing coverage on Saturdays.”
“A minor point but it seems ITV have asked the Professional Darts Corporation to move two Saturday afternoons of darts to previous days for two events next year, I assume this is an effort to clear ITV4 for the horse racing coverage on Saturdays.”
Which events ? Guessing ones that don't already have Friday afternoon play
Originally Posted by Darren Lethem:
“Which events ? Guessing ones that don't already have Friday afternoon play”
“Which events ? Guessing ones that don't already have Friday afternoon play”
World Series of Darts
The Masters
I think those would be the events that would be moved.
Originally Posted by f1fantic1:
“World Series of Darts
The Masters
I think those would be the events that would be moved.”
“World Series of Darts
The Masters
I think those would be the events that would be moved.”
ITV requested that the PDC move the Saturday afternoon session of the PDC Masters (in January?) to Friday night and this was granted, the day after tickets went on sale.
The schedule for the Euros at the back end of next year curiously has a Friday afternoon session but no Saturday afternoon session, I assume for the same reason, but what then happens on the Friday afternoon with the gee gees I dont know. Maybe there isnt a meet scheduled that day they are bothering to show.
Havent seen anything regarding a schedule change for the WSoD yet but that is also the back end of next year.
The big question raised by the ITV move is whether races will ultimately be shown in the RoI, given that the Irish platforms no longer carry UTV, and UTV Ireland have expressed no interest. One would expect that RTE will eventually secure Cheltenham and Aintree rights at a minimum, but they've only six weeks left to secure a deal!
Originally Posted by Paul_Culloty:
“The big question raised by the ITV move is whether races will ultimately be shown in the RoI, given that the Irish platforms no longer carry UTV, and UTV Ireland have expressed no interest. One would expect that RTE will eventually secure Cheltenham and Aintree rights at a minimum, but they've only six weeks left to secure a deal!”
“The big question raised by the ITV move is whether races will ultimately be shown in the RoI, given that the Irish platforms no longer carry UTV, and UTV Ireland have expressed no interest. One would expect that RTE will eventually secure Cheltenham and Aintree rights at a minimum, but they've only six weeks left to secure a deal!”
RTE never used Channel 4 pictures since the 'new' Channel 4 racing contract began. They have had a non-exclusive agreement to use Racing UK pictures which also have a deal with eir sport. RTE only ever show Cheltenham and the Grand National from this deal now and barely show any other UK racing during the year.
Updates on ITV's coverage
http://www.racingpost.com/news/horse...=last7DaysNews
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rac...rage-2017.html
http://www.racingpost.com/news/horse...=last7DaysNews
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rac...rage-2017.html
Clicked on the link above and immediately saw Luke Harvey ( bad) and Mick Fitzgerald ( worse) and didn't change my opinion that ITV have seriously blown the opportunity to make a change to how racing is broadcast in this country.
Change for changes sake ( Holt replaced by the wordy and nerdy Hoiles) and same old same old ( the aforementioned plus McCoy who is obviously a superstar of the sport but an absolutely terrible broadcaster).
I know he's marmite and also a risk but now that Matt Chapman has got his boot in the terrestial door I hope he livens things up a bit and manages to oust some of the bland talking heads that pepper the coverage of the sport and look like they will continue to do so.
Nick Luck ( as knowledgable an interviewer and anchorman as you will find anywhere) and Graham Cunningham ( expert form summariser and great sense of humour) were excellent and should never have been replaced.
Change for changes sake ( Holt replaced by the wordy and nerdy Hoiles) and same old same old ( the aforementioned plus McCoy who is obviously a superstar of the sport but an absolutely terrible broadcaster).
I know he's marmite and also a risk but now that Matt Chapman has got his boot in the terrestial door I hope he livens things up a bit and manages to oust some of the bland talking heads that pepper the coverage of the sport and look like they will continue to do so.
Nick Luck ( as knowledgable an interviewer and anchorman as you will find anywhere) and Graham Cunningham ( expert form summariser and great sense of humour) were excellent and should never have been replaced.
Originally Posted by Ginger Daddy:
“A minor point but it seems ITV have asked the Professional Darts Corporation to move two Saturday afternoons of darts to previous days for two events next year, I assume this is an effort to clear ITV4 for the horse racing coverage on Saturdays.”
“A minor point but it seems ITV have asked the Professional Darts Corporation to move two Saturday afternoons of darts to previous days for two events next year, I assume this is an effort to clear ITV4 for the horse racing coverage on Saturdays.”
Makes sense to do darts Friday night, Saturday night and Sunday afternoon and evening.
The Saturday afternoon was always slowest with ticket sales (not the best time for a piss up, which is what PDC want at their events these days) and also smallest TV audience.
Originally Posted by malcy30:
“Makes sense to do darts Friday night, Saturday night and Sunday afternoon and evening.
The Saturday afternoon was always slowest with ticket sales (not the best time for a piss up, which is what PDC want at their events these days) and also smallest TV audience.”
“Makes sense to do darts Friday night, Saturday night and Sunday afternoon and evening.
The Saturday afternoon was always slowest with ticket sales (not the best time for a piss up, which is what PDC want at their events these days) and also smallest TV audience.”
I agree with you there
Originally Posted by wordfromthewise:
“Clicked on the link above and immediately saw Luke Harvey ( bad) and Mick Fitzgerald ( worse) and didn't change my opinion that ITV have seriously blown the opportunity to make a change to how racing is broadcast in this country.
Change for changes sake ( Holt replaced by the wordy and nerdy Hoiles) and same old same old ( the aforementioned plus McCoy who is obviously a superstar of the sport but an absolutely terrible broadcaster).
I know he's marmite and also a risk but now that Matt Chapman has got his boot in the terrestial door I hope he livens things up a bit and manages to oust some of the bland talking heads that pepper the coverage of the sport and look like they will continue to do so.
Nick Luck ( as knowledgable an interviewer and anchorman as you will find anywhere) and Graham Cunningham ( expert form summariser and great sense of humour) were excellent and should never have been replaced.”
“Clicked on the link above and immediately saw Luke Harvey ( bad) and Mick Fitzgerald ( worse) and didn't change my opinion that ITV have seriously blown the opportunity to make a change to how racing is broadcast in this country.
Change for changes sake ( Holt replaced by the wordy and nerdy Hoiles) and same old same old ( the aforementioned plus McCoy who is obviously a superstar of the sport but an absolutely terrible broadcaster).
I know he's marmite and also a risk but now that Matt Chapman has got his boot in the terrestial door I hope he livens things up a bit and manages to oust some of the bland talking heads that pepper the coverage of the sport and look like they will continue to do so.
Nick Luck ( as knowledgable an interviewer and anchorman as you will find anywhere) and Graham Cunningham ( expert form summariser and great sense of humour) were excellent and should never have been replaced.”
Many of the old C4 viewers hated the change when IMG took over, and love him or love him John McCririck was missed by a lot. Chapman seems to have been brought in to be a McCririck character for ITV.
Hoiles will be a good commentator for ITV, he is a good commentator. Holt may be the main voice of C4 and a very good commentator but that doesnt necessarily mean that Hoiles is a weak part of the coverage whatsoever. When calling 25 horse flat handicaps Hoiles is a class above from the rest, including Holt.
Nick Luck is a very good presenter for C4, i would rather have had him part of the coverage than change to Chamberlain but it will be interesting to see how Chamberlain is on a sport that isnt football. While i agree with your post i dont agree with Cunningham, he for me is a rather weak pundit who often seems that he doesnt know much about what is happening.
From the link. Confirmation of ITV1's meetings.
January
Sun 1 - Cheltenham and Musselburgh
March
Tue 14 - Cheltenham Festival
Wed 15 - Cheltenham Festival
Thu 16 - Cheltenham Festival
Fri 17 - Cheltenham Festival
April
Thu 6 - Aintree Grand National Meeting
Fri 7 - Aintree Grand National Meeting
Sat 8 - Aintree Grand National Meeting
Sat 22 - Ayr & Newbury (Scottish Grand National)
Sat 29 - Sandown and Haydock (jumps finale)
May
Sat 6 - Newmarket and Goodwood (2,000 Guineas)
Sun 7 - Newmarket and Hamilton (1,000 Guineas)
Sat 20 - Newbury and Newmarket (Lockinge)
June
Fri 2 - Epsom Derby Meeting
Sat 3 - Epsom Derby Meeting
Tue 20 - Royal Ascot
Wed 21 - Royal Ascot
Thu 22 - Royal Ascot
Fri 23 - Royal Ascot
Sat 24 - Royal Ascot
July
Sat 8 - Sandown and Haydock (Eclipse)
Sat 15 - ‘Super Saturday’ (Newmarket, Ascot, York)
Sat 29 - Ascot and York (King George)
August
Tue 1 - Glorious Goodwood
Wed 2 - Glorious Goodwood
Thu 3 - Glorious Goodwood
Fri 4 - Glorious Goodwood
Sat 5 - Glorious Goodwood
Wed 23 - York Ebor
Thu 24 - York Ebor
Fri 25 - York Ebor
Sat 26 - York Ebor
September
Sat 9 - Haydock, Ascot and Kempton (Sprint Cup)
Sat 16 - Doncaster and Chester (St Leger)
October
Sat 14 - Newmarket and York (Dewhurst)
Sat 21 - Ascot (British Champions Day)
November
Sat 18 - Cheltenham and Lingfield (Open Meeting, Middle Day)
Sat 25 - Haydock and Ascot (Betfair Chase)
December
Sat 2 - Newbury & Newcastle (Hennessy/Fighting Fifth)
Tue 26 - Kempton and Wetherby (King George)
January
Sun 1 - Cheltenham and Musselburgh
March
Tue 14 - Cheltenham Festival
Wed 15 - Cheltenham Festival
Thu 16 - Cheltenham Festival
Fri 17 - Cheltenham Festival
April
Thu 6 - Aintree Grand National Meeting
Fri 7 - Aintree Grand National Meeting
Sat 8 - Aintree Grand National Meeting
Sat 22 - Ayr & Newbury (Scottish Grand National)
Sat 29 - Sandown and Haydock (jumps finale)
May
Sat 6 - Newmarket and Goodwood (2,000 Guineas)
Sun 7 - Newmarket and Hamilton (1,000 Guineas)
Sat 20 - Newbury and Newmarket (Lockinge)
June
Fri 2 - Epsom Derby Meeting
Sat 3 - Epsom Derby Meeting
Tue 20 - Royal Ascot
Wed 21 - Royal Ascot
Thu 22 - Royal Ascot
Fri 23 - Royal Ascot
Sat 24 - Royal Ascot
July
Sat 8 - Sandown and Haydock (Eclipse)
Sat 15 - ‘Super Saturday’ (Newmarket, Ascot, York)
Sat 29 - Ascot and York (King George)
August
Tue 1 - Glorious Goodwood
Wed 2 - Glorious Goodwood
Thu 3 - Glorious Goodwood
Fri 4 - Glorious Goodwood
Sat 5 - Glorious Goodwood
Wed 23 - York Ebor
Thu 24 - York Ebor
Fri 25 - York Ebor
Sat 26 - York Ebor
September
Sat 9 - Haydock, Ascot and Kempton (Sprint Cup)
Sat 16 - Doncaster and Chester (St Leger)
October
Sat 14 - Newmarket and York (Dewhurst)
Sat 21 - Ascot (British Champions Day)
November
Sat 18 - Cheltenham and Lingfield (Open Meeting, Middle Day)
Sat 25 - Haydock and Ascot (Betfair Chase)
December
Sat 2 - Newbury & Newcastle (Hennessy/Fighting Fifth)
Tue 26 - Kempton and Wetherby (King George)
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