Commentators

Catt seems to tak ethe most now, and he is so average. Completely missed Captain Kirkton's sad demise.

If Cattermole is commentating you might as well turn the sound off.

Catt 'the mole' is a dreadful commentator, but an excellent presenter.
Hoiles & Johnson (no t in Mark Johnson viva)  are as good as I have ever witnessed on course, since I started going racing in 1968.

I presume the 3 above named will have the gig between them again?

Saxon, agree with all of that. John Hunt is good on course too, though less so on the radio. I also have a soft-spot fo rIan (not Lee!) McKenzie and Martin Harris. Anyone but Catt.

Since I've joined this forum, I've been pleasantly surprised as to how highly regarded Richard Hoiles seems to be. He has been a great race-caller for years and I never realised he was so popular. When he first appeared on our screens, I couldn't take him seriously with his beaming, affable manner, but after a while I realised that he knew his stuff. His commentaries are nearly always flawless and listening to them has made me realise a great degree of intelligence goes into calling a race that pleases everyone. I've said before that he actually finds the words, LIVE ON AIR, just as I'm thinking of them and I can read a race! I think it should not be under-estimated just how difficult it must be to call a race and I think too many commentators, especially Cattermole, get some unfair flak - the standard of commentators in general has soared over the years and we are privileged to listen to some of them. Holt's already regarded as a top caller - isn't he in the frame for the Festival? Have I missed something?

Wasn't Richard Hoiles responsible for perhaps the greatest race summary by any commentator...

"Denman is driven out...relentless, remorseless, has POUNDED Kauto Star!!"

Or am I crediting the wrong bloke?

Harchibaldy

Simon Holt as usual will be the CH 4 caller for their viewers.
The racecourse callers (and for RUK) for the last few years have been Hoiles, Johnson & 'Chatter Mole'.

Yes, I do agree the stanard of racecourse commentary has vastly improved since the '80s.

R Carver: I too, enjoy Ian McKensie's style of race calling.

As I have picked on the opening poster for spelling!

I correct my previous post,  Iian Mackenzie.