ITV4 Racing Coverage Chat Thread

Programme certainly better without him....should dispose of weather bimbo and Alice next

Noel Fehily really earned his fee on the last..

Much improved on Cheltenham
Fitz and Luke worked well as a team with Ed Chamberlin
Matt Chapman did great job, much, much better than Cheltenham
Oli Bell, Alice informative and professional as ever
The one man band at supporting meeting not quite working

As Ed said at the end 'TEAM' and that is his great ability to present a show with a team.....no place for ego's

A thoroughly enjoyable afternoon's racing

Thank you ITV Racing Team, you did good today.

Gold stars all round

Mr Makybe needs feeding so I have to get back to the kitchen ( Posy )

See you later

no tanya, no cunningham - tick

now waiting for fitzy and alice - tick tock

not a great fan of chapman but i was pleased he made the point about its possible for good horses to run at hereford referring to finians oscar and keepers hill.

A massive improvement on C4. Well done.
The absence of Cunningham and McGrath is a big positive.

i thought it was good,chapman obv been told to calm down.

the ch4 format had become staid and dated

much better today, not having to fit everyone in gave it a bit more time to breathe

clearly aimed at the regular saturday audience with much more reference to future markets ete

wasn't any point in having rishi at wincanton if he wasnt actually going to do anything, may as well have just had the main 4 do his bit from sandown

Very good today.  I actually wonder whether Wincanton brought much to the programme (fog aside).  Anyone who's had a bet there can watch it but for me it just disturbed the rhythm of the Sandown coverage, which they could have punctuated with interviews and features rather than going over for pretty average racing in Somerset.  Fair enough if it's a proper double-header but that didn't deserve the air time in my humble.  Dunno if it's contractual but an all-in approach to the main meeting might be the way forward as they've got the team to do it.

Haven't seen the main coverage today yet!  The Morning Show, will be looking forward to that every Saturday morning. Good presenters, good set, interesting topics. Polished start to the racing day imo.

fair point headmaster.

Agree with most on here.   Really rather good coverage. They've even found a proper job for Alice; interviewing Trainers offspring. Actually on a semi-serious note, interviewing race-going kids may be a good idea/feature, on the assumption that they might be the racegoers of tomorrow. I also remember those interviews with Johnston's "pompous little twa t" used to go down rather well with the general public

very good today , at no time did i think any negative thoughts  (unlike last week with the owners fanfare ) although i was switching to atr in between so didnt see all of show , it flowed really well seems lessons have been learned and hopefull of more of the same in future 5 stars today

IMHO, a transformation from last week. Both shows were well worth watching.

Andrew Baldings stable on The Morning Show, if anyone has seen it well worth a watch. Unbelievable trainer! Back a Andrew Balding horse if it finishes 4th 5th on debut. Great record of winning its next race!!

a few bits and bobs that they need to tweak on both shows but defo a promising start

Was enjoying morning ,till JO'B said for the umpteenth time (or so it seemed ) that he had ridden some good horses , switched off and went out . I video afternoon racing and watch from about 3pm , it was ok , loved the Tizzard putdown , ' Just cos they win a PTP doesnt mean they stay ' .

My 1st experienced of ITV Racing today: I thought it was rather entertaining and pleasant to watch. I thought Ed Chamberlain was knowledgeable, informative, professional and very presentable but not condescending; the chemistry between Luke Harvey and Fitzy was evidently clear, mainly jovial despite their persistent differing views. I did not watch the 1st transmission so I cannot comment about Sir Anthony McCoy as he was not on duty today. Did he give the impression he'd rather be elsewhere on that occasion? He looked to be enjoying himself at the track today, though.

The banishing of any betting entity reps was a god-send and an emphatic success as it allowed more time for other positive aspects of horse racing to be aired; the only criticism, if I may, would be why was the weather woman present? How did the weather impact on racegoers present at the course or the racing in progress? I think racegoers would be more interested in the horses than the weather at that present time.

8/10 from me, a very good effort since inception.

Today was much better than last week, along with a very good morning programme .

lucy is not only very attractive but as the going reports are important better to have it from her than the mind numbing scenes of tanya interviewing (sic) various clerks of courses, some of whom wouldn't or couldn't determine that the M6 is firm

I cannot comment about Sir Anthony McCoy as he was not on duty today. Did he give the impression he'd rather be elsewhere on that occasion?
the whole vibe was much better for AP not being on the show today

Yes, I'm sure he couldn't give a monkey's but if I was AP I'd be worried.  He brought nothing to Cheltenham's coverage and wasn't missed one bit today.  ITV might have a problem on its hands there.

tbf to ap last week it was pishing down with rain and huddled under a brolly was not the ideal start ,plus he has not got the expiereince of the others and dont look a natural yet but has room to hopefully improve .

Good post Foyleswar. I don't think of AP as a presenter. I don't expect him to have the presenting skills of the others.

I see him as a very welcome guest

Don't forget AP and Ed Chamberlain are great mates so Ed will probably get the best out of AP in due course

Oli Bell is an assured presenter that's for sure. Apparently he was very nervous, but didn't show in the slightest on The Opening Show.

Impossible123 the 1st show you can watch on YouTube.

Hidden away on ITV 4 along with all those shows on transgender antique experts with embarrassing body parts - how many actually watched ?

I hope they don't suppress Chapman too much, because he's not being himself. In the first show he bounced off Ed quite well with a few digs and jokes combined. Hopefully every show is different

chappers brings  "energy" to the show ,ot on parts of the 1st show on new years day but eager  to make an impression so hardly unexpected, deffo need to have somewhere sheltered from weather similar to the 1st day , a marquee maybee or some kind of "pop up mini studio type thing !

It is a massive improvement on what went before it.

It also looks like they are trying to get the product enjoyable as well.

Fingers crossed McCoy will not be back anytime this side of San Marino winning the world cup.

If only Plunkett could start her maternity leave now.

I'm not buying the weather excuse for AP

the man has ridden 4000+ winners in all weathers and now bit of wind, rain and cold means he cant liven up for ITV's 1st broadcast?? it wasn't ideal I agree and some cover would have been better but everybody else just got on with it whereas AP looked like a proper miserable git who would rather be elsewhere

I will give ITV time to work out how best to utilise AP (I'm sure they can in some capacity but front of camera in presentation team...not for me)

they've made such a positive start, hope it continues to improve

KOD

Don't be a tw@t all your life - have a day off now and again !

ttt for later.

Hope it's as good as last week

it'll be fookin sh1te

well it will if I get knocked out the placepot

We will have to see, I'm very optimistic

Got this on now. I record it for an hour first before watching. So I can fast forward the Ads.

Why was Mick Fitzgerald mortified when he heard if the plans to close Kempton Park? Strange choice of word.

Sally Ann seems fairly nervous.

Not seen her yet. This isn't such a good idea being an hour behind the rest of you 

Mortified = ashamed or embarrassed.

Mick ' ....I've got it wrong again Dad ....'

It's Alice. I really don't mind Alice but I don't  like that coat or her silly bobble hat. She needs to get some fashion advice from Victoria Pendleton.

she introduced the Kempton racing...sounded like she was reading from a script and was stumbling over her words.

Haven't got to that bit yet

Sally Ann at Kempton. No Victoria yet.

Fergal O'Brien must be frozen!

I've been trying to think who Oli Bell reminds me of.

It's just come to me....it's James Blunt

Do you agree!

both experts!!! - you'll be happy if you're on the favourite.  Cue 1000 on betfair

Luke after timing "Spoke to Ben this morning blah blah" tell us before the race fella you after all are the pundit on a racing channel watched by people who bet on horseracing and need all the info they can get

Haven't got to that bit yet

Well done Lizzie Kelly

TOBEFAIR winning tip this morning

It's very poor today, they don't need 6 people at Warwick.

I'm finding Mick Fitzgerald better with ITV racing than Channel 4. I don't know why that should be.

Different director making the difference perhaps.

Where is the lovely girl ? Who is the hyper active chap that looks like a butcher's delivery boy?

Who is that nasty bookmaker who doesn't mind if we lose Kempton?

I'm with Nicky on this

Welching Fred perhaps?

The Red Rivers on this channel now
Starring Andrew Thornton

Lol.

I'm still on the 3.35 at Warwick here.

It is growing on me. Just keep Pendleton off.

I'm very happy with ITV

That was great again, this week. Well done, ITV Racing

Can't have it with Fitzgerald there. I'm sorry.

Good programme , but surely they could have fitted in a piece on Brian Fletcher ......he did ride a horse that ITV viewers will have heard of.

Very easy to watch even entertaining may I add; there chemistry between the main presenter eg Ed Chamberlin, Fitzy and Luke. What a difference the removal of betting reps makes, and no weather woman and Sir A McCoy (again) - lovely.

Did Brian Fletcher get a mention?......If not the whole lot should be strung up and shot.

I never seen it Today but if he never got a mention that would be absolute  disgrace.

He was mentioned on The Morning Show.

Sorry, I meant The Opening Show.

thought it was good again today ,couldnt criticise it tbh ,even fitsy didnt grate on me ,someone had a word in his ear?  found it flowed again and  had nothing negative to say except that the pics were about 30 seconds behind live video ,chappers was decent as well ,much better than chan 4 ,and like the racecards even with my eyes i could see then clearly  must be mellowing in me old age or the missus has slipped something in my tea

Yes, I thought the show this morning (and last week's, but NOT Boxing Day's version) was bordering on professional dare I say. Even Matt and Luke came over as being almost sensible. Surely someone's had a quiet word in their ears about presentation. Hopefully no more rants about wigs and suchlike. Let's hope it stays like that (or get better).

Definitely worth watching. Certainly glad to see the back of the stuttering woman.

Have got to say that, it looks like people are taking notice of our critique of the first broadcast !



LONG MAY IT CONTINUE ! 

Three very good posts above.

I am really looking forward to the rest of the Jumps Season with ITV.

Thank you, Radio Times. For now listing the ITV4 race times

Just seen that it looks like Ascot will probably be off

MD, I posted the other week about where to go for the latest itv racing schedule which lists all the races to be covered.

In case you or anyone else may have missed it....

http://www.itv.com/racing/tv-schedule

Thanks, MC, that's great!

I hope Lucy shows up.

showing 2 races from taunton( if survives) assuming ascot off.

I want some of what M Diva is on.He has an orgasm at just the mention of Itv racing........and talks absolute bollox.

She - surely !

"I want some of what M Diva is on.He has an orgasm at just the mention of Itv racing........and talks absolute bollox"

I have to say that The Opening Show is an absolute pleasure to watch

Which races are they covering today please?

They are showing 1.30, 2.05, 2.40, 3.15 from Haydock.

Rothman mike , as for talking bollocks , few could equal your latest effort.

As long as it involves racing I will watch it. Makes a change from Brexit, Donald Trump and world war 3.

Thanks Diva. Thought they might've adjusted the Lingfield times to cover a couple of those.

"Off today but should be warmer for Royal Ascot in June " 

Why does Ed keep calling everyone "bruv"? Not very professional.

Gave it a go today on the back of positive comments on here, and after reading Chapman had 'toned it down'. Not from what I have seen today. Still thinks he knows it all, still has that stupid smirk when speaking  to someone, still an annoying ****. The programme would be much better without him.

Really enjoying the ITV coverage. Brough Scott an excellent addition.

Yes, Brough Scott excellent - experience shows.

Nice to see Thomas Garner making  a big fuss of Rayvin Black for his second place in the Contender's Hurdle at Sandown

I have the sound turned right down when Ian Bartlett is commentating

Aww, Daryl Jacob wants to give Top Notch a home when he retires

Nice one, Daryl

Mick Fitz ' received a tweet earlier, that said Venetia and Heavy ground'
No you didn't , you( and other pundits) trot this cliched crap out every Saturday.