We discuss ITV Racing’s Cast with The Tower
AFTER 32 years that helped define the sport, Channel 4 finally bowed out of racing this week with an emotional farewell at Kempton. What comes next is the question on everybody’s lips, with a bold new dawn promised by ITV as they attempt to inject new life into the terrestrial TV landscape.
There can be no doubt that Channel 4 has taken racing, and the national hunt game in particular, to some thrilling heights over the past three decades. But television is a results business and viewing figures have long had C4 executives off the bridle. Despite a range of innovative tactics, the product strangely became tarred with the “stale” brush for much of its 18 months. A victim, perhaps, of ditching popular talent like John McCririck, the brand never did recover in the eyes of many punters. And with the strong ongoing output of rival offerings, AtTheRaces and Racing UK, it left Channel 4 trapped on the proverbial rail with nowhere to go.
So it came as little surprise when a switch of broadcaster was announced earlier this year. And to ITV goes the baton, with the steady hands of racing fan Ed Chamberlain at the helm. This looks a wise move on many fronts, offering a fresh face at the head of affairs for what will be a pivotal new chapter. The brilliant Nick Luck has every right to feel down on his…well…luck given the sterling work he’s done with Channel 4 over the years. A more professional and knowledgeable anchor you couldn’t wish for, but he was always likely to prove a casualty as ITV strived to chart a new course. And in Chamberlain they have someone that is not only instantly recognisable to sports fans from his time on Sky’s football coverage, he is a self confessed racing nut. It looks a rock solid capture.
Oli Bell is another who will offer ITV viewers a comforting transition. The rising star of Racing UK over the past few years, he will front’s ITV’s version of The Morning Line and should be a stand-out in the role. His ability to hit the ground running will prove key as the channel bids to get off to a fast start.
In the commentary box, another casualty has fallen in the shape of Simon Holt. By quite some distance the country’s top caller of races, he has been overlooked in favour of Richard Hoiles. Again, this is all about ITV wanting to establish a new sound and, although Hoiles is a well known voice to those of us who follow the game every day of the year, it is Holt we associate with the big Saturdays that ITV need to deliver on.
In and around the paddock is where ITV will probably come under most scrutiny. Executives have taken the decision to broadcast on the go, as it were, and will take Chamberlain’s studio out into the thick of the action. It’s a bold move and something BT Sport utilise to good effect with their coverage in the likes of football and rugby. This move towards a more ‘edgy’ style of presentation is sure to bring a new dynamic to armchair fans, but whether it’s all style and lacking in substance is the key question. That’s where ITV will look to their cast of pundits to provide the relevant balance of colour and craft – and they appear to have struck the right tone.
As soon as the decision was announced, fans up and down the land had Matt Chapman at the top of their shopping list. His enigmatic style of broadcasting has been a joy to watch on AtTheRaces and his chance on the main stage is long overdue. Bosses at ITV have pledged to let him loose and they insist we’ll be getting the natural Chappers – which is good because anything less would be an abject failure on their part. The likes of Mick Fitzgerald and AP McCoy were obvious choices to provide some continuity and insight from the C4 days and it’s great to know their familiar faces will be on board. Jason Weaver and Luke Harvey are another two who have served their apprenticeship on AtTheRaces and, to hardcore racing fans, will fit like a glove. But to the wider audience they will also carry that ease in front of the camera that should prove a winner.
Alice Plunkett, Sally-Ann Grassick, Rishi Persad, Hayley Turner, Frankie Dettori and even Victoria Pendleton are also on board for the ride, while Francesca Cumani is an intriguing signing to co-host the flat season coverage. What’s clear is that channel bosses want plenty of variety and are attempting to appeal to all demographics. The heartwarming sight of veteran Brough Scott in the line up should be proof of that.
Whatever the outcome, though, ITV has very big boots to fill. I was once lucky enough to spend a day behind the scenes with the team at Channel 4 Racing – and the dedication behind the camera was truly astounding. What few viewers would have realised was how many genuine racing fans worked on that product. As slick as their material was, it was no less well researched and with a genuine passion for the game. Sometimes you don’t realise what you’ve lost until it’s gone, and our only hope for racing must be that in 12 months’ time, we are not longing for the broadcaster that was curelly cast aside as tired and past its sell by date.
Good luck ITV, over to you.
i remember itv racing in the past with that good old itv 7 bet so I think it will be a winner but get the punters fav john does it great McCririck on board
sad, sad,sad, ..bbc was the polished jewel of racing anyway, ..dont no what your on about this channel 4 thing, ..channel 4 was ok with big mac ..”all for the punter” ..but when he went, so did 4 ..but you cant ever beat julian wilson!!, peter o’sullivan!! ..and that aussie comentator ? …bbc were kings of the sport of kings !!!
If you’re an ardent racing fan the new team with some old faces should provide a good insight into backing winners whilst enjoying a great sport.
Michael lynch I would like say good luck to all team in your new venture.
Hi I like the look mainly of the new line-up but the one person I would have included is Lydia Hislop.I think she is one of the top lady racing presenters.I am not a great lover of Richard Hoiles as a commentator.My choice would have been Ian Bartlett.I think he is the best.
Couldn’t agree more on Lydia. Has been a standout for many years on RUK. That said, I can see why they’ve gone for the ‘fresher’ face of Oli Bell, who looks a perfect fit for the weekly magazine show and should be a huge success in the role.
Racing is blessed in the sense there are a great number of talented broadcasters around. I imagine there would have been close calls aplenty for lots of these ITV gigs.
i do not see why itv can not do a good job of it because thay did a good jod in the sixties
Big mistake for them to pass over Simon Holt. Top quality race readers and commentators are diamonds. Richard Hoiles is not bad. One would have thought they’ll need both.
Rishi drives me nuts. He should have been thrown out while they had the chance. He’ll spend all the time drooling over Hayley and Victoria. Nick Luck will surely move on. He could become a male Clare Balding front man in any sport he chooses as he is a consummate professional with excellent style .
Above all though ITV need to get back to some of the real racing aspects of the BBC days like watching horses go down to the start in detail, especially 2yo’s and they need to cut the phenomenal bookmaker advertising which puts many off the whole broadcasting experience
Rishi persad……No talent whatsoever for horse racing
Very disappointed with the new ITV presentation so far!
Simon Holt by far the best commentator we have.
This Chamberlain idiot looks and sounds like Matthew Wright who I cant stand either!
Why is Victoria Pendleton there except for eye candy?
The whole thing was a bit shambolic with a group of blokes stood round a table like a forgotten stall at a jumble sale!
Why is lovely Simon Holt not doing the commentating – this is a serious mistake and loss as there is no one to beat him – he is pure gold. Richard Hoiles is good but not the same.
I’m not a fan of Mick Fitzgerald or Tony McCoy and all this constant “Sir” business gets on my nerves – hope ITV will ring the changes with other racing people to give us much needed change.
I agree that Lydia Hislop would be a great asset – much better than the present female line up who seem very frivolous.
ITV could consider bringing John McCririck back perhaps ?!!
Sorry to see Jim McGrath and Nick Luck go as they had great experience and knowledge.
Channel 4 should not have ditched John Francome or Mike Cattermole either when they did.
There was also a lot of laughing and joking which if it goes on too long is very annoying.
I know ITV were probably trying hard to make a good first impression, and all credit to them, but they need to be more serious about the racing and show more of the horses than the presenters !
I love it whenever people come together and share
thoughts. Great website, continue the good work!
ye, ..seen some of the comments and agree totaly ..no class itv, ..compared to the beeb
never have, ..j framcome, jim mcgrath, big mac .and mr.ed should be the front men and emma spence out with the mike…and pack in all the analysin..cant stand all that touchin and freezin screen gumpf !!!!!