ITV RACING TODAY - lacking in atmosphere

having the host standing outside all day doesn't work,reminds me of when news channels go to a reporter in some random place after we've had an inch of snow.Put them back in a studio with people who can carry a conversation not just speak when they are spoken to.

Disagree. Racing is an outdoor sport. Why would you want to convey otherwise? You shouldn't be going racing if you want to sit inside all day. There was nothing more tedious than Cunningham and McGrath in the booth. That really was the definition of boredom.

Yes, I don't rate plenty of the faces but other than too many times trying to attach racing to the celebrity I think they have done a reasonable job. Personally, I don't miss anything about the Channel 4 coverage.

I get Ed and his enthusiasm, I love the game too.

But, I don't see that their product is going to appeal to non believers.

Its so sad the decline of the game in terms of terrestrial pulling power, but it is going to take a miracle to turn it around. One that ITV are nowhere near performing.

Racing is an outdoor sport. Why would you want to convey otherwise? You shouldn't be going racing if you want to sit inside all day

i suppose they should knock down all the grandstands then?Most sports are 'outside' but still have a panel in a box or studio.Whenever u see these presenters 'pitch side' on any sport they look ,like the people they are interviewing,that they wish they were in a studio.

There was nothing more tedious than Cunningham and McGrath in the booth

Exactly why u need people that can create/hold a conversation which is why neither were wanted by ITV

Gary O'Brien manages to function brilliantly outside over in Ireland. IMO he is by far the best horse racing presenter on the box. Very knowledgeable, and appears respected by all he interviews .

100,s of dodgey races,betting moves,dodgey rides etc every month in ireland and the most incisive question your likely to get off Obrien is what are you having for tea tonight,no wonder traners ,jocks love to be interviewed by him like getting interviewed by Lorraine kelly

ITV racing is getting worse.  Plunkett is dreadful beyond words and should never have been employed. Fitzgerald and Hayley Turner were / are decent jockeys but hopeless broadcasters and way out of their depth.
ITV had a great opportunity 12 months ago to employ some fresh, new blood to make the programme interesting.  Instead they went with old faces which has led to the predictable outcome.

Exactly,birkdale....if you had to pick any two from channel 4 Plunkett and Fitzgerald would be the last

O'Brien is one of the blandest individuals ever to sit on the pundit's fence.  If it was a hedgehog then he would go through with it, still smiling apishly! He should be commentating, and replace the three morons who currently monopolise the Irish scene (Pugh not included). On the other hand, it was clear to see that Chapman had been told to tone it down with Plunkett and to stop eating the fcking seedless grapes.  However, he could no longer resist his final outburst against the BHA, which ultimately has probably earned him the boot!