how lucky ARE WE?

​Many aspects of modern life annoy me, some more than others. In the ‘annoying-most’ category are people who go on social media to complain about either I.T.V.’s coverage of our sport or any of the individuals who comprise their team of presenters. When I say ‘social media’ I must admit that I only have personal experience of comments to any racing videos on YouTube, a service I hate and enjoy in almost equal measure. I do not subscribe to any social media platforms. It is my line in the sand.
For the majority of my long-life horse racing has been covered extensively by terrestrial television. As one of my earliest memories is the opening credits of Grandstand, a view of different sports shown through the rotating lens of an early television camera, though I can only recall the part showing a flat race at Ascot. It is as if, through that single vista, I became cognizant of a world outside of the housing estate where I was born and lived my life. 
When in your formative years you play football and cricket with your friends and peers but your abiding interest is a sport that those around you could not perceive let alone understand, it sort of sets you up for life as someone forever looking in rather than being central to a social whirl. I was different, and it always has been so. That was me; as a young teenager I could recite the last fifty Derby winners, whereas now I struggle to remember last season’s Derby winner, as well as the last fifty or more Grand National winners. It was my party-piece, not that anyone had the knowledge to dispute the names and order I recited.
Coming from a Bristol housing estate, my exposure to horse racing came through a screen, courtesy of Peter O’Sullevan and Clive Graham and not personal acquaintance with the flesh and blood of any kind of horse, let alone a sleek thoroughbred. I owe the abiding passion of my entire adult life to the television coverage of horse racing by the B.B.C. How lucky was I?
As with the majority, I suspect, when I.T.V. won the contract to become the sport’s new terrestrial provider, I was concerned. Channel 4 had done an excellent job covering our sport, even if the loss of John Francome was never overcome. But then who could replace a man as knowledgeable and intelligent as Francome? I watched the inaugural ‘Morning Show’ with trepidation but by its end I was happy that the sport was in safe hands. That remains my verdict to this day.
It is why I get annoyed when people think others would be interested in their view of individual presenters. Channel 4 never found another John Francome but I.T.V. has his equal in Ruby Walsh, a man to listen to, to not interrupt, to believe in. As indomitable and admirable as a commentator and communicator as he was a jockey. He is outstanding, as would be his sister Katie if only I.T.V. could acquire her services. The one element lacking in I.T.V.’s squad is a retired female jockey.
There is no one on the presenters roster who I dislike, some fulfil certain roles better than others and that is only to be expected. The newer female presenters are becoming more and more proficient as they gain experience and settle into the team. It is an advantage during the flat season to have the wife of a leading jockey as she can provide an individual perspective to the sport. I do, though, miss Hayley Turner and for me, perhaps not others, though I can’t think why, she lights up the screen with her presence. Unlike Emma Spencer, who though knowledgeable and attractive, was at times used by Channel 4 as an eyecatcher, Francesca Cumani possesses not only a natural elegance that transcends the fashion that clothes her but also a wealth of international racing experience.
On that first ‘Morning Show’ it was obvious that Oli Bell was fully aware of the responsibility he and I.T.V. carried and since then Ed Chamberlain has striven to demonstrate the sport in all its hues. Chamberlain is an enthusiast, as is the irreplaceable Luke Harvey, and that is what is required to engage the non-racing viewer. I have a long association with the sport and consequently I try not to get irritated when in an effort to explain the nuances of the sport to the floating viewer, I am ‘talked down to’. I get it. It has to be done. It is perhaps why my enjoyment of an afternoon’s racing is always enhanced by Ruby’s presence. He wouldn’t lower himself to be anything other than spot-on with his analysis, his comments. He is the educator.
I lament nothing from the old days of racing coverage. Not even Peter O’Sullevan as all modern-day commentators are better than he ever was. Nostalgia may insist that this cannot be so but a little research will tell you different. O’Sullevan taught his pupils too well.
We must thank our lucky stars that for whatever hard-nosed reason horse racing has been a staple of sports coverage for the whole of my life. I just hope that for the duration of my life I can enjoy coverage of the sport on t.v. and that I.T.V. will remain at the helm.