ALASTAIR DOWN LEFT THE RACING POST

on the bar

anyone finding it please hand it in at lost property £3 is £3,

never mind the drink problem, still was the best writer they had.

Is his 3 month "holiday" at the usual "resort"?

Good writer (at Racing Post level) but if you're leaving just leave fully imo. He'd easily get work elsewhere surely.

Yes, it seems he is being paid per article, rather than receiving a salary. So he is hardly leaving. You can't imagine he did that much to justify a salary on a daily basis.

Was he a great writer or just better than many who were/are pretty average?

Another outstanding and experienced racing journalist leaving the sinking ship Racing Post. But as always the captain a Mr Millington will "gravy train" till the last moment, out of loyalty?

sadly every time i have seen him on sunday forum on ATR he looks like a washed out alcoholic. sleeves up, wittering on about cheltenham in the middle of summer. i actually pity the poor soul. RP is doing him a favour giving him the chance to write the odd article between drinks.

Very  much enjoyed  reading  his stories  of yesterday
Will  miss  him

All  the  best  A.D.

it shows the UK's attitude to drink. They had champagne for the notorious alcoholic in the press room :/

Fear, its not that. he just comes onto ATR on sunday and witters on about nothing in an overly sentemental manner

takes it's toll mate

Not a fan of his writing, too sentimental, over emotive for me. C4 didn't do him any favours continuing to put him in front of the camera when clearly worse for wear.

When the demon attaches onto one it's extremely difficult to remove the shackle; journalists and doctors seem to bear the brunt of it. Maybe the constant deadlines, and incessant pressure eg mega activity follow by the lull at work are the culprits.

The most legalised form of addiction, alcohol.

Me too cooperman, I found his 'waxing lyrical' style of writing rather nauseating.

me too,patronising is the word id use.

not bad getting paid for telling us for the last 15 years that his  family give each other ante post betting slips for xmas, which is probably a fairytale anyway

never had any time for his writing skills,as has been said...pompous,patronising,nauseating twaddle

Not a big fan but I did enjoy his "word watch" pieces.