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13 Aug 12
17:29
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Date Joined:
05 Jan 10
http://www.britishhorseracing.com
Sir Peter O'Sullevan described Channel 4 Racing's decision to appoint Clare Balding as their new lead presenter as "superb news" for the sport.
Balding will be the figurehead of the channel's racing coverage from next January after IMG Sports Media were announced as the new producers for the show and former commentator and journalist O'Sullevan believes the news can only be a good thing for racing.
He said: "I think it's very good news for Channel 4 and very good news for racing. I have to congratulate Channel 4 on securing Clare's services and I'm sure they will benefit greatly from her expertise and guidance."
He added: "I think her presence will enormously strengthen what is already a formidable team.
"I think her work over the last couple of weeks at the Olympics has only added to her stature as a presenter and broadcaster.
"I think Clare is an absolute credit to racing and the whole country
Sir Peter O'Sullevan described Channel 4 Racing's decision to appoint Clare Balding as their new lead presenter as "superb news" for the sport.
Balding will be the figurehead of the channel's racing coverage from next January after IMG Sports Media were announced as the new producers for the show and former commentator and journalist O'Sullevan believes the news can only be a good thing for racing.
He said: "I think it's very good news for Channel 4 and very good news for racing. I have to congratulate Channel 4 on securing Clare's services and I'm sure they will benefit greatly from her expertise and guidance."
He added: "I think her presence will enormously strengthen what is already a formidable team.
"I think her work over the last couple of weeks at the Olympics has only added to her stature as a presenter and broadcaster.
"I think Clare is an absolute credit to racing and the whole country
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I think her presence will enormously strengthen what is already a formidable team.
That's worrying
That's worrying
These people must live on a totally different planet to the rest of us, imo...
Yes there certainly not a formidable team.
There a bunch of lazy gravy train tosssers for the most part
There a bunch of lazy gravy train tosssers for the most part
could get intresting watching claire an tanya getting to no each other!
The race results will be identical irrespective of the presenter of a tv programme so personally couldn't give a toss either way in all honesty 
Neither could they Hayden...
As Lennon said "we're all phuckin peasants"
As Lennon said "we're all phuckin peasants"
could get intresting watching claire an tanya getting to no each other!
Presumably Luck is the first to get his P45 under the new regime
Presumably Luck is the first to get his P45 under the new regime
I said this was likely on another thread hope the new producers get shot off ALL the old guard,especially that idiot Big Mac+Lord Snooty.
I dont perceive myself to be some great form guru/tipster but could still run rings that bunch of synchophantic back slappers.
Now the bold Clare will have to up her game and question the racing establishment not bow to them and that will prove if her team will be any better than Cat,Lesley,Tanya,Jim,Francs etc.
Come on CH4 give terrestial tv proper racing coverage which just may make ATR+RUK up their substandard game.
I dont perceive myself to be some great form guru/tipster but could still run rings that bunch of synchophantic back slappers.
Now the bold Clare will have to up her game and question the racing establishment not bow to them and that will prove if her team will be any better than Cat,Lesley,Tanya,Jim,Francs etc.
Come on CH4 give terrestial tv proper racing coverage which just may make ATR+RUK up their substandard game.
Eventually Clare Balding will have to get a restraining order against John McCririck lol
when he said strength their already formidable team he was probably on about the lambourn tug of war seven
He used to refer to her as the beebs ravishing clare balding before she came out of the closet
i know not everyone likes her and she has made the odd gaff, but i thinks she's ok, gl to her
Clare is very professional.
Unfortunately her new colleagues are hopelessly amateurish
They would do well to start with a fresh slate
Unfortunately her new colleagues are hopelessly amateurish
They would do well to start with a fresh slate
If the new producers turn up for work on day one and think 'I know, let's re-hire all the people that have been sleepwalking through the same routines for more than thirty years', I would be very surprised.
A gravy flavoured bloodbath is more likely, imo -
A gravy flavoured bloodbath is more likely, imo -
Balding a country mile clear of Down,Plunkett,Cattermole & Spencer.Not saying she's perfect but anything's got to be better that the
insipid pair that front C4's flat racing.Big Mac's got no chance of a gig as anyone who witnessed his car crash performances at Goodwood the other week will testify.
insipid pair that front C4's flat racing.Big Mac's got no chance of a gig as anyone who witnessed his car crash performances at Goodwood the other week will testify.
format is not aimed at regular hard core betting types, more of a casual saturday punter approach, i'm not sure it hits that mark either but who knows?
Clare is professional ?
There is no professional on earth who would say to a 1st time winning jockey that he can now get his teeth fixed with his prize money ?
Then ask the jockey to show the viewers his teeth by smiling at the camera .
AWFUL
There is no professional on earth who would say to a 1st time winning jockey that he can now get his teeth fixed with his prize money ?
Then ask the jockey to show the viewers his teeth by smiling at the camera .
AWFUL
Very interesting Clare Balding is pretty good, but not good news for Nick Luck as I can't see him being number two at Channel 4. Nick is commanding on Racing UK but only looks like one of the crowd on C4 and I think he might be paying the price for lack of innovation by Racing UK. Big Mac is finished he was awful at Goodwood and he has been awful plenty of times on ATR in the past year. Cattermole and Spencer are not that good.
Formidable? 
The C4 commentators (Holt & Hoiles) are always excellent, and if the C4 producers had any brain cells between them, they'd be utilising that pair a lot more - they're informative, intelligent & don't seem to waste their airtime, which is something that cannot be said for the rest of them!
I'm not a fan of Nick Luck but at least you can tell he actually LIKES the sport - he's worth his place as is Jim McGrath (not the Aussie sycophant) unlike the hangers-on
The 'team' could hardly be worse, and to use an adjective like 'formidable' makes me wonder what noun or phrase was missing from the text, as in 'a formidable shower of stagnant urine'
It seems the few presenters we on here are virtually unanimous about (like Gary O'Brien) will never get a sniff of the comfortable easy chairs in the first-class compartment on the gravy train, when ineptitude & laziness seems to be permanently rewarded with 'golden handcuffs, a la Lesley Graham
As Mill House says...these people are on a different planet to the rest of us
The C4 commentators (Holt & Hoiles) are always excellent, and if the C4 producers had any brain cells between them, they'd be utilising that pair a lot more - they're informative, intelligent & don't seem to waste their airtime, which is something that cannot be said for the rest of them!
I'm not a fan of Nick Luck but at least you can tell he actually LIKES the sport - he's worth his place as is Jim McGrath (not the Aussie sycophant) unlike the hangers-on
The 'team' could hardly be worse, and to use an adjective like 'formidable' makes me wonder what noun or phrase was missing from the text, as in 'a formidable shower of stagnant urine'
It seems the few presenters we on here are virtually unanimous about (like Gary O'Brien) will never get a sniff of the comfortable easy chairs in the first-class compartment on the gravy train, when ineptitude & laziness seems to be permanently rewarded with 'golden handcuffs, a la Lesley Graham
As Mill House says...these people are on a different planet to the rest of us
Please God we get the return of the punters. They totally disowned us over the years.
Channel Four Racing loves to feature regular competitions and viewers are welcome to take part in any or all of them. The easiest to enter are The Picture Puzzle and Monkey Business.
THE CHAMPION TIPSTER COMPETITION
The rules and number for the Champion Tipster competition have changed. To take part you must now dial 0901 56 44844, calls cost 60p per minute. There is a fast-track service for regular players so that their calls take less time.
The new rules ask you for three selections per race in all of the televised races from the English and Scottish courses. In weeks when we include a race or two from Ireland, these are not usually included in the Champion Tipster Competition.
To score points, one or both of your selections must finish in the first three. Points are then awarded according to the starting price with an additional 10 points being awarded to the winner of each race. So, if your horse wins at 4-1 you get 4 points for the SP and a further 10 points for the win. If it were second or third at 4-1 you would get 4 points. Horses starting at odds on or less than 2-1 receive 1point, plus a win bonus if they win.
After all races have been won you add up the total number of points scored and watch Channel Four Racing for a claims total. If you have scored more than the claims total - which is usually about 70% of the the maximum number of points available that day - then dial the claims number, which is 0870 904 5051 or 00 44 870 904 5051 from Ireland. (N.B. The claims number is occasionally different, so check out the programme for the correct one).
The winner is the person with the most points and he, or she, then receives £5 per point. So, if you score 200 points, you'd win £1,000. Often there are bonanza bonus prizes with awards up to £250,000 on offer. For details of these, watch Channel Four Racing during the big events.
THE PICTURE PUZZLE
The Picture Puzzle is a contest featuring a cartoon. Every Saturday our cartoonist Paul Hardman offers up an illustration which is inspired by a horse running somewhere in Britain that afternoon. Viewers who can guess the name of the horse depicted in the cartoon are invited to call a number, leave their name and telephone number and watch the programme to see if they are one of three winners of £100. We regularly include bonus prizes for Picture Puzzle winners ranging trips to Dubai to see the World Cup to books and racecourse visits.
The number to dial to enter The Picture Puzzle is 09068 991144. You can also fax your entry on 020 7267 2006.
MONKEY BUSINESS
Monkey Business is played every Saturday between 9am and 9.45am. Viewers are invited to dial a number, answer the simplest of racing related question, and - if answering correctly - their name will go into a draw. At 9.48am a winner is picked at random and that person is then called by The Morning Line and invited to speak to the team live, on air. Each winner then selects a horse they think will win later that day and Channel Four Racing then places a free £500 bet (£500 is known as a monkey on the racecourse, hence the competitions title) on the horse chosen by the lucky viewer. If the horse wins then the winning returns, including the initial £500 stake are sent to the viewer.
To enter Monkey Business simply dial 0901 490 2500. Lines are open every Saturday between 9am and 9.45am.
Channel Four Racing loves to feature regular competitions and viewers are welcome to take part in any or all of them. The easiest to enter are The Picture Puzzle and Monkey Business.
THE CHAMPION TIPSTER COMPETITION
The rules and number for the Champion Tipster competition have changed. To take part you must now dial 0901 56 44844, calls cost 60p per minute. There is a fast-track service for regular players so that their calls take less time.
The new rules ask you for three selections per race in all of the televised races from the English and Scottish courses. In weeks when we include a race or two from Ireland, these are not usually included in the Champion Tipster Competition.
To score points, one or both of your selections must finish in the first three. Points are then awarded according to the starting price with an additional 10 points being awarded to the winner of each race. So, if your horse wins at 4-1 you get 4 points for the SP and a further 10 points for the win. If it were second or third at 4-1 you would get 4 points. Horses starting at odds on or less than 2-1 receive 1point, plus a win bonus if they win.
After all races have been won you add up the total number of points scored and watch Channel Four Racing for a claims total. If you have scored more than the claims total - which is usually about 70% of the the maximum number of points available that day - then dial the claims number, which is 0870 904 5051 or 00 44 870 904 5051 from Ireland. (N.B. The claims number is occasionally different, so check out the programme for the correct one).
The winner is the person with the most points and he, or she, then receives £5 per point. So, if you score 200 points, you'd win £1,000. Often there are bonanza bonus prizes with awards up to £250,000 on offer. For details of these, watch Channel Four Racing during the big events.
THE PICTURE PUZZLE
The Picture Puzzle is a contest featuring a cartoon. Every Saturday our cartoonist Paul Hardman offers up an illustration which is inspired by a horse running somewhere in Britain that afternoon. Viewers who can guess the name of the horse depicted in the cartoon are invited to call a number, leave their name and telephone number and watch the programme to see if they are one of three winners of £100. We regularly include bonus prizes for Picture Puzzle winners ranging trips to Dubai to see the World Cup to books and racecourse visits.
The number to dial to enter The Picture Puzzle is 09068 991144. You can also fax your entry on 020 7267 2006.
MONKEY BUSINESS
Monkey Business is played every Saturday between 9am and 9.45am. Viewers are invited to dial a number, answer the simplest of racing related question, and - if answering correctly - their name will go into a draw. At 9.48am a winner is picked at random and that person is then called by The Morning Line and invited to speak to the team live, on air. Each winner then selects a horse they think will win later that day and Channel Four Racing then places a free £500 bet (£500 is known as a monkey on the racecourse, hence the competitions title) on the horse chosen by the lucky viewer. If the horse wins then the winning returns, including the initial £500 stake are sent to the viewer.
To enter Monkey Business simply dial 0901 490 2500. Lines are open every Saturday between 9am and 9.45am.
Lots of sweating between the hind legs when she works with Emma
frankel winning next years queen anne, balding to quelly, is this the best horse youve sat on
Channel 4 pick outsider IMG to produce its racing coverage with Clare Balding as the lead presenter
It is a well-worn adage on the Turf that you should always back the outsider in a three-runner race, which also applies in television, it seems.
By JA McGrath TELEGRAPH.CO.UK 13 Aug 2012
In racing terminology, the announcement that IMG Sports Media is to produce Channel 4’s racing coverage for the next four years was an upset result.
Coming up against Highflyer, a racing heavyweight which had held the contract for 28 years, and Sunset+Vine, an innovative cricket producer which turned its hand expertly to racing to cover the Grand National, Royal Ascot and the Derby for the BBC, no wonder IMG was the ‘outsider’ in this drawn-out battle.
But, triumph it did, in no small measure, according to sources, because of an expensive and impressive presentation that won over Channel 4 bosses, who were asked to weigh up a varied final list of five tenders for the contract.
Every one of the bids listed Clare Balding as the lead presenter, which offers continuity in any planned merging of on-screen talent.
Balding, the corporation’s face of racing, was acclaimed for her work during BBC’s coverage of the Olympics, and she will head up Channel 4’s presentation of the Paralympics.
She said: “I love my job and I can’t believe how lucky I am. I am excited by Channel 4’s plans for their coverage and the way in which they have committed to expanding the profile of jockeys, trainers and horses.”
But the trump card played by IMG was to sign up the award-winning Carl Hicks, who has just finished editing the Olympics for BBC, where he was officially senior programme editor. He is to be IMG’s executive producer of racing.
During his time at the helm at the BBC, Hicks, a passionate racing fan, edited nine Grand Nationals, eight Royal Ascots, six Derbys, as well as the Arc, before the corporation took the decision to contract out its racing production to Sunset+Vine.
For the viewer, it is hard to say what differences will be noticed first.
But IMG will be very aware that it is trying to take the best of racing’s big days, which Sunset+Vine covered for the BBC, merging that with the style of Channel 4’s unique showcase Cheltenham Festival, and mixing it all yet again with big festivals at York, Goodwood, Chester and other courses.
Jamie Aitchison, Channel 4’s sports editor, said: “After a rigorous and invaluable tender process, I am looking forward immensely to working with IMG Sports Media to deliver our vision for the sport.
“Their pitch was compelling and crucially contained deep racing expertise allied to innovative broadcasting proposals.
“Clare’s arrival is superb news for Channel 4 and the production team.
“Quite simply she is the sports broadcaster of her era and for her to be heading up our coverage across the year is extremely exciting.”
It is a huge production contract, with 90 days of live racing, in addition to the weekly Morning Line, the one-hour Saturday morning magazine/preview programme.
Terrestrial exclusivity should see racing promoted more widely and consistently on Channel 4.
Yesterday, soon after fans called for Balding to be made a Dame for her Olympic coverage, Channel 4 confirmed she now would be their lead presenter.
Balding announced she would combine the new, non-exclusive role with “expanded and varied programming at the BBC”, saying: “I can’t believe how lucky I am.”
The broadcaster, who has been one of the key figures in the corporation's Olympics programming, will host Channel 4's racing shows from next year.
“I'm delighted that this agreement means I am able to broadcast racing for Channel 4 and combine it with expanded and varied programming at the BBC,” she said.
"I love my job and I can't believe how lucky I am. I thrive on being challenged and pushed out of my comfort zone and I'm incredibly excited at what the future holds."
Earlier this year, she wrote on Twitter: “Desperately sad that BBC TV has lost all rights to cover horse racing.”
A spokesman for Channel 4 said: "Her expertise and warmth will bring a new audience to the programmes working alongside a combination of familiar and new talent to be announced later in the year."
Balding has been one of the main faces during London 2012, presenting swimming coverage and equestrian events among her duties.
She has been hailed almost unanimously as the best presenter by fans, with several national newspapers awarding her a “gold medal” for her work.
Veteran sports presenter Des Lynam, writing for Telegraph Sport before the announcement was made, said: “At the moment no one is doing the job better in my view than La Balding.
“Whatever sport Clare turns her hand to, she becomes expert enough without ramming it down your throat and she’s been bringing her usual shiny enthusiasm and flair to the role all week.”
Balding, 41, was one of the few BBC presenters also praised for her role in the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee coverage.
Speaking of her passion for horses earlier this year, Balding told the Telegraph: “I didn’t just grow up with horses, I wanted to be one.
“My father was a racehorse trainer, as were two of my uncles, both my grandfathers and my great-grandfather. My childhood was played out on the backs of ponies and horses.”
It is a well-worn adage on the Turf that you should always back the outsider in a three-runner race, which also applies in television, it seems.
By JA McGrath TELEGRAPH.CO.UK 13 Aug 2012
In racing terminology, the announcement that IMG Sports Media is to produce Channel 4’s racing coverage for the next four years was an upset result.
Coming up against Highflyer, a racing heavyweight which had held the contract for 28 years, and Sunset+Vine, an innovative cricket producer which turned its hand expertly to racing to cover the Grand National, Royal Ascot and the Derby for the BBC, no wonder IMG was the ‘outsider’ in this drawn-out battle.
But, triumph it did, in no small measure, according to sources, because of an expensive and impressive presentation that won over Channel 4 bosses, who were asked to weigh up a varied final list of five tenders for the contract.
Every one of the bids listed Clare Balding as the lead presenter, which offers continuity in any planned merging of on-screen talent.
Balding, the corporation’s face of racing, was acclaimed for her work during BBC’s coverage of the Olympics, and she will head up Channel 4’s presentation of the Paralympics.
She said: “I love my job and I can’t believe how lucky I am. I am excited by Channel 4’s plans for their coverage and the way in which they have committed to expanding the profile of jockeys, trainers and horses.”
But the trump card played by IMG was to sign up the award-winning Carl Hicks, who has just finished editing the Olympics for BBC, where he was officially senior programme editor. He is to be IMG’s executive producer of racing.
During his time at the helm at the BBC, Hicks, a passionate racing fan, edited nine Grand Nationals, eight Royal Ascots, six Derbys, as well as the Arc, before the corporation took the decision to contract out its racing production to Sunset+Vine.
For the viewer, it is hard to say what differences will be noticed first.
But IMG will be very aware that it is trying to take the best of racing’s big days, which Sunset+Vine covered for the BBC, merging that with the style of Channel 4’s unique showcase Cheltenham Festival, and mixing it all yet again with big festivals at York, Goodwood, Chester and other courses.
Jamie Aitchison, Channel 4’s sports editor, said: “After a rigorous and invaluable tender process, I am looking forward immensely to working with IMG Sports Media to deliver our vision for the sport.
“Their pitch was compelling and crucially contained deep racing expertise allied to innovative broadcasting proposals.
“Clare’s arrival is superb news for Channel 4 and the production team.
“Quite simply she is the sports broadcaster of her era and for her to be heading up our coverage across the year is extremely exciting.”
It is a huge production contract, with 90 days of live racing, in addition to the weekly Morning Line, the one-hour Saturday morning magazine/preview programme.
Terrestrial exclusivity should see racing promoted more widely and consistently on Channel 4.
Yesterday, soon after fans called for Balding to be made a Dame for her Olympic coverage, Channel 4 confirmed she now would be their lead presenter.
Balding announced she would combine the new, non-exclusive role with “expanded and varied programming at the BBC”, saying: “I can’t believe how lucky I am.”
The broadcaster, who has been one of the key figures in the corporation's Olympics programming, will host Channel 4's racing shows from next year.
“I'm delighted that this agreement means I am able to broadcast racing for Channel 4 and combine it with expanded and varied programming at the BBC,” she said.
"I love my job and I can't believe how lucky I am. I thrive on being challenged and pushed out of my comfort zone and I'm incredibly excited at what the future holds."
Earlier this year, she wrote on Twitter: “Desperately sad that BBC TV has lost all rights to cover horse racing.”
A spokesman for Channel 4 said: "Her expertise and warmth will bring a new audience to the programmes working alongside a combination of familiar and new talent to be announced later in the year."
Balding has been one of the main faces during London 2012, presenting swimming coverage and equestrian events among her duties.
She has been hailed almost unanimously as the best presenter by fans, with several national newspapers awarding her a “gold medal” for her work.
Veteran sports presenter Des Lynam, writing for Telegraph Sport before the announcement was made, said: “At the moment no one is doing the job better in my view than La Balding.
“Whatever sport Clare turns her hand to, she becomes expert enough without ramming it down your throat and she’s been bringing her usual shiny enthusiasm and flair to the role all week.”
Balding, 41, was one of the few BBC presenters also praised for her role in the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee coverage.
Speaking of her passion for horses earlier this year, Balding told the Telegraph: “I didn’t just grow up with horses, I wanted to be one.
“My father was a racehorse trainer, as were two of my uncles, both my grandfathers and my great-grandfather. My childhood was played out on the backs of ponies and horses.”
The same Des Lynam who proclaims Croc as the best behind a mike?
The mind boggles
The mind boggles
The Peter that did not even deserve the badge............Worst caller of a race..........EVER.
Attivo?.........Voice of Racing?
ROFL
Blind as a MOLERAT..........useless.FACT
Attivo?.........Voice of Racing?
ROFL
Blind as a MOLERAT..........useless.FACT
Very true GT,no one will ever upset the apple cart and say it in public though.
The voice of racing is henry cecil , when he speaks people stop and listen
TBF Claire is getting better..........better than when she got bitter with the deehike on the beehike.
May be she has learned not to mention teeth?
CH4 and the BBC missed out on a better presenter..........Ms/MRS.....Jenny PITMAN........In MY VERY HUMBLE and KNOWL......legiball..........o pine oin?
May be she has learned not to mention teeth?
CH4 and the BBC missed out on a better presenter..........Ms/MRS.....Jenny PITMAN........In MY VERY HUMBLE and KNOWL......legiball..........o pine oin?
jenny cant bite her tongue GT , not one for greasing the wheels imo
Maybe David got in a Stait?
The Cuddley One.........worth 10 of what they have.nap
Jenny............luv u still
David...........and you
The Cuddley One.........worth 10 of what they have.nap
Jenny............luv u still
David...........and you
Never let it be said Sir Peter did not say the right words at the right time. Wonder if he really means them?
It is no surprise that the supercilious and moribund O'Sullevan has welcomed Balding's appointment to the Channle 4 Team. O'Sullevan built a lucrative career by inveigling himself with establishment figures throughout his life. Balding is simply another privileged character who has hitched a ride on the TV gravy train. Her worthiness and mock sincerity are nauseating.
One side-effect of Clare Balding becoming lead presenter of Channel 4 Racing in 2013 is the expected TV retirement of John Francome as the network's long-time star pundit. Francome is saying he will be spending more time on riding work for trainer Clive Cox, who rents the former champion jump jockey's Beechdown stables in Lambourn.
Todays Daily Mail.
Todays Daily Mail.
Maybe O'sullivan is celebrating the news of C Baldings appointment out of a proper and legitimate concern that the sport he loves is slowly but surely creeping toward the furthest margins in today's media , could it be that he sees her , with all her galvanising energy and popular appeal as a real shot in the arm for the sport . Mat Chapman and James Willoughby have gone missing maybe they are being primed for a revamped morning line, who knows? . As for lord snooty and the gang I suspect they will get along just Dandy with the ever enthusiastic and excitable Lady snooty!
At the end of the day Claire Smaire it will make no difference they
will have their combined snouts in the trough and we will do what we
do best, moan, good day to you all.
will have their combined snouts in the trough and we will do what we
do best, moan, good day to you all.
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