Arse Cup

Originally posted by Euronymous@Jun 20 2008, 03:30 PM
I`m missing Francome and non-Aussie Jim at least making an effort to cover the form prior to a race. Where are CH4 at on saturday?
They're also showing a 0-60 handicap from Redcar, thanks for that.
 
Originally posted by Grey@Jun 19 2008, 09:16 PM
Thommo was definitely at Great Leighs at around 5pm, in full Ascot regalia, working a crowd in a tent who were watching the racing from Ascot. He was pulling raffle tickets from his top hat.

Clearly ATR are sympathetic employers, to both staff and audience. "What a pro I am", Thommo would have been saying to himself driving around the M25 this afternoon, with or without nail in foot. "Thank God he's in a tent at Great Leighs and not in the ladies' toilets at Ascot", the ATR audience were saying.

I was at Gt Leighs on the said night, taking the pics for the course, so working with Thommo [who arrived c4pm and told me he intended to change out of his Ascot gear as soon as he'd said hello to everyone - the course may have suggested he kept it on].

There were no tents at GL btw, the hospitality was in the central lobby of the stand with tables, table cloths & napery, proper glasses, and flowers on every table - and the food esp the lavish cream tea was splendid as always


I'm fairly new to this game - I started with Gt Leighs. Thommo has been unfailingly helpful and utterly charming, to myself as a rookie and to everyone else connected with the course. Nothing is too much trouble for him - he'll do anything for you, tell you who's who, stand anywhere for a pic, he's an utter pro. And the crowd LOVE him!

If everyone were as good at their job as Thommo - and as nice a person - the world would be a better place
What a stupid sour comment. Get a life ffs
 
What a stupid sour comment. Get a life ffs

You still finding Aidan O'Brien phoning up his parents "intensely irritating"?

What a stupid sour comment, Get a life ffs, etc.

(Now *that's* picking!).
 
See what I mean??

Yes I *do* find it intensely irritating, as in my book being on the phone constantly when you are in public is bad manners pure and simple. Tho I appreciate it is kind of AOB to talk to his parents at such a moment, and may also be partly down to shyness, I also think it could wait whilst he engages in the very public moment in which he is the central player, and then talk to them in private when he's dealt with that.

Re the slating of the racing media:
Forgive my bile, but I do in general get very p*sse off with some of the remarks on here about people I know and like personally in the racing media who do a difficult and very exhausting job which requires a huge amount of preparation, travelling, early mornings and late nights, and constant 'putting out' to the camera and to the on-course public which is a terrific strain 6/7 days a week.

Very few people can perfom at top level all the time; and I don't think many posters on here have any idea what incredibly hard work it is for the regular presenters. Some of them are better at it than others, some are good at some things but not others. If it were so easy as some seem to think, we'd have a lot of good all-rounders. The fact we don't just proves what a tough job it is, esp when you are trying to please several different constituencies. A little more understanding would not go amiss.
 
Yes I *do* find it intensely irritating, as in my book being on the phone constantly when you are in public is bad manners pure and simple.

As opposed to interviewing on live TV ladies queuing for the toilets?

I do in general get very p*sse off with some of the remarks on here about people I know and like personally in the racing media who do a difficult and very exhausting job which requires a huge amount of preparation, travelling, early mornings and late nights, and constant 'putting out' to the camera and to the on-course public which is a terrific strain 6/7 days a week.

But that doesn't appear to stop you slating those you don't "know and like personally".
 
Originally posted by Headstrong@Jun 21 2008, 12:40 PM


Yes I *do* find it intensely irritating, as in my book being on the phone constantly when you are in public is bad manners pure and simple.
One of my biggest peeves. Worst offenders - people who visit the gym and still find the need to take their mobiles onto the floor with them. I`m a fairly tolerant person, but when i see someone peddling and talking on their mobile i want to take a 10KG weight shove it sideways right up there.
 
Originally posted by Headstrong@Jun 21 2008, 11:40 AM
Re the slating of the racing media:
Forgive my bile, but I do in general get very p*sse off with some of the remarks on here about people I know and like personally in the racing media who do a difficult and very exhausting job which requires a huge amount of preparation, travelling, early mornings and late nights, and constant 'putting out' to the camera and to the on-course public which is a terrific strain 6/7 days a week.
That's the thing though, Headstrong. Though I think most on here appreciate the work involved in the racing media (some aspects more than others), the only real glimpse most ever get (well, me anyway) of Thommo and most other presenters for that matter is their time on the screen. Thus, our judgements are formed entirely by what we see on the air.

So whether they are fantastic blokes off air really doesn't come into it for most people (myself included for the British racing media). I don't think it's unfair to criticize him, or any other on-air analyst/presenter, either for something he/she does or says on-air, as that is what he is paid to do after all.
 
That's what they should be paid for you mean. Derek Thompson does quite well thankyou by exploiting the platform that the gogglebox gives him to launch a successful after dinner business, as well as tucking people away with "Thommo's Buzz Line" which has variously been researched alongside other tipping services, and found to be wanting. Thommo when questioned on the subject by an Observer journalist even refused to say whether he backs his own tips
 
Originally posted by Warbler@Jun 21 2008, 02:12 PM
as well as tucking people away with "Thommo's Buzz Line" which has variously been researched alongside other tipping services, and found to be wanting.
Anyone stupid enough to ring his line does everything they get.
 
Originally posted by Gareth Flynn@Jun 21 2008, 11:43 AM

But that doesn't appear to stop you slating those you don't "know and like personally".
Such as? I think I'm pretty fair to people - esp those I don't know.
I don't go in for the kind of regular knocking which is quite common in the forum.
If I slate anyone, and it's very rare, I have a very good reason, and - usually - 'inside' on them
 
Excellent interview between Derek Thompson and the current Miss UK at Ayr;

Thommo: Tell us about yourself

Miss UK: I'm a Musical Theatre graduate

Thommo: What does that mean?

Miss UK: I graduated in Musical Theatre

Classic stuff
 
Here's a very worthy candidate to be nominated for the award; even though he regularly comes out with stuff that would entitle him to be named on here (yet I don't think he's made an appearance as yet) he excelled himself yesterday/today. Step forward Lee Mottershead. Anyone see his article in the RP today? I'll save you the trouble looking for it :


COMMENTS made or not made by Jim Bolger about Epsom in the build-up to New Approach's controversial Vodafone Derby victory were once again placed under the microscopeon Friday after the trainer insisted he had been misquoted.

An interview given by Bolger to the BBC triggered further banter between the in-form trainer and reporters, with whom he had engaged in a tense press conference after New Approach's Classic triumph.

“The whole situation would not have arisen if I had been quoted correctly,” said Bolger, but his insistence that he had at no point singled out the Derby for criticism when initially ruling out an Epsom bid prompted the Guardian's Greg Wood to provide taped evidence of Bolger saying: “I don't think that Epsom necessarily does all that much for a stallion . . . for a prospective stallion career.” 
In response, Bolger said he had prefaced his comments with the words, “if my memory serves me right”, and added: “When you have a champion two-year-old, winning Derbys does not necessarily increase a horse's value.

“Galileo won the Derby and the Irish Derby. He stood his first year for e50,000 and his second for e50,000, and John Magnier would not mind me saying that they could not give him away for e37,500 the following year.”

Bolger also defended his early season desire to prefer the Irish 2,000 Guineas over the Derby for New Approach.

He said: “It so happened I had not won the 2,000 Guineas, and at that point, I would have preferred to win the 2,000. An Irishman who wanted to win his own Classic more than the Derby – I don't see anything wrong with that.” 

Please pay attention to the phrase highlighted, for it is important. What actually happened was that Wood claimed to have taped evidence [with him too] of Bolger's alleged comments. Strangely enough, when he looked for said "evidence" he couldn't find it, ergo the so-called evidence could not be produced, so it transpired, amidst some mirth. Apparently Bolger said to just send it to him when he found it instead....
 
Shoddy stuff indeed. But Bolger's comments on Galileo are fascinating; particularly coming from a man who staked so much on him coming good.
 
Bolger was an ass regarding New Approach for the Derby. But I definitely think plenty of the British journalists took offence to the thought that someone would willingly admit to preferring to win another race (the Irish Guineas) rather than at Epsom. I don't think Bolger was slating the Derby, just stating a personal preference.
 
Originally posted by Gamla Stan@Jun 20 2008, 03:24 PM
And that mad woman off the Apprentice too, desperate stuff.
Picture the scene - quietly sitting around a table, enjoying the calm before the storm, a diet coke and a chat with a few colleagues. Next thing you hear is an exceptionally annoying (and oddly familiar) whining voice at top volume, making sure that everyone within 25ft is well aware that she is there. Like a colleague observed, the Apprentice seems to have become a type of Big Brother for those who feel they are above appearing in BB but want their slice of fame. Nauseating stuff.
 
Too many arses in TV this week.


The fashion affair with so many stupids in BBC have been pathetic, Willie Carson in his level,

in ATR Chapman has done a good job, but McCririck broing and Zoey "the expert" no words.

the only positive is that I have not seen Nick Luck or Francome in the whole week, :D
 
Originally posted by Shadow Leader@Jun 21 2008, 07:42 PM
Here's a very worthy candidate to be nominated for the award; even though he regularly comes out with stuff that would entitle him to be named on here (yet I don't think he's made an appearance as yet) he excelled himself yesterday/today. Step forward Lee Mottershead. Anyone see his article in the RP today? I'll save you the trouble looking for it :


COMMENTS made or not made by Jim Bolger about Epsom in the build-up to New Approach's controversial Vodafone Derby victory were once again placed under the microscopeon Friday after the trainer insisted he had been misquoted.

An interview given by Bolger to the BBC triggered further banter between the in-form trainer and reporters, with whom he had engaged in a tense press conference after New Approach's Classic triumph.

“The whole situation would not have arisen if I had been quoted correctly,” said Bolger, but his insistence that he had at no point singled out the Derby for criticism when initially ruling out an Epsom bid prompted the Guardian's Greg Wood to provide taped evidence of Bolger saying: “I don't think that Epsom necessarily does all that much for a stallion . . . for a prospective stallion career.” 
In response, Bolger said he had prefaced his comments with the words, “if my memory serves me right”, and added: “When you have a champion two-year-old, winning Derbys does not necessarily increase a horse's value.

“Galileo won the Derby and the Irish Derby. He stood his first year for e50,000 and his second for e50,000, and John Magnier would not mind me saying that they could not give him away for e37,500 the following year.”

Bolger also defended his early season desire to prefer the Irish 2,000 Guineas over the Derby for New Approach.

He said: “It so happened I had not won the 2,000 Guineas, and at that point, I would have preferred to win the 2,000. An Irishman who wanted to win his own Classic more than the Derby – I don't see anything wrong with that.” 

Please pay attention to the phrase highlighted, for it is important. What actually happened was that Wood claimed to have taped evidence [with him too] of Bolger's alleged comments. Strangely enough, when he looked for said "evidence" he couldn't find it, ergo the so-called evidence could not be produced, so it transpired, amidst some mirth. Apparently Bolger said to just send it to him when he found it instead....
Nice one, SL :)
 
Originally posted by Headstrong+Jun 21 2008, 01:24 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Headstrong @ Jun 21 2008, 01:24 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-Grey@Jun 19 2008, 09:16 PM
Thommo was definitely at Great Leighs at around 5pm, in full Ascot regalia, working a crowd in a tent who were watching the racing from Ascot. He was pulling raffle tickets from his top hat.

Clearly ATR are sympathetic employers, to both staff and audience. "What a pro I am", Thommo would have been saying to himself driving around the M25 this afternoon, with or without nail in foot. "Thank God he's in a tent at Great Leighs and not in the ladies' toilets at Ascot", the ATR audience were saying.

I was at Gt Leighs on the said night, taking the pics for the course, so working with Thommo [who arrived c4pm and told me he intended to change out of his Ascot gear as soon as he'd said hello to everyone - the course may have suggested he kept it on].

There were no tents at GL btw, the hospitality was in the central lobby of the stand with tables, table cloths & napery, proper glasses, and flowers on every table - and the food esp the lavish cream tea was splendid as always


I'm fairly new to this game - I started with Gt Leighs. Thommo has been unfailingly helpful and utterly charming, to myself as a rookie and to everyone else connected with the course. Nothing is too much trouble for him - he'll do anything for you, tell you who's who, stand anywhere for a pic, he's an utter pro. And the crowd LOVE him!

If everyone were as good at their job as Thommo - and as nice a person - the world would be a better place
What a stupid sour comment. Get a life ffs [/b][/quote]
Actually I have some sympathy for Headstrong's point, and if you care to search you will find I generally don't join in when media figures are getting slagged off.

And no slight was intended by my reference to a "tent" at Great Leighs, although that's what I thought it was. The whole room was decked out in white from floor to rather high ceiling and looked very much like a wedding reception I once attended in a tent.

However, I just couldn't resist being amused at the notion of Thommo, all dressed up for Ascot, being forced/choosing to miss the actual racing and getting sent/agreeing to go elsewhere. It's the sort of thing that Alan Partridge would do.
 
Greg Wood is generally a very good journalist and worth reading. He's prepared to question received wisdom and act as something more than a PR sycophant to owners, trainers and jockeys. He has the interests of punters at heart.
 
Originally posted by Grey+Jun 23 2008, 06:59 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Grey @ Jun 23 2008, 06:59 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'>
Originally posted by Headstrong@Jun 21 2008, 01:24 PM
<!--QuoteBegin-Grey
@Jun 19 2008, 09:16 PM
Thommo was definitely at Great Leighs at around 5pm, in full Ascot regalia, working a crowd in a tent who were watching the racing from Ascot. He was pulling raffle tickets from his top hat.

Clearly ATR are sympathetic employers, to both staff and audience. "What a pro I am", Thommo would have been saying to himself driving around the M25 this afternoon, with or without nail in foot. "Thank God he's in a tent at Great Leighs and not in the ladies' toilets at Ascot", the ATR audience were saying.


I was at Gt Leighs on the said night, taking the pics for the course, so working with Thommo [who arrived c4pm and told me he intended to change out of his Ascot gear as soon as he'd said hello to everyone - the course may have suggested he kept it on].

There were no tents at GL btw, the hospitality was in the central lobby of the stand with tables, table cloths & napery, proper glasses, and flowers on every table - and the food esp the lavish cream tea was splendid as always


I'm fairly new to this game - I started with Gt Leighs. Thommo has been unfailingly helpful and utterly charming, to myself as a rookie and to everyone else connected with the course. Nothing is too much trouble for him - he'll do anything for you, tell you who's who, stand anywhere for a pic, he's an utter pro. And the crowd LOVE him!

If everyone were as good at their job as Thommo - and as nice a person - the world would be a better place
What a stupid sour comment. Get a life ffs
Actually I have some sympathy for Headstrong's point, and if you care to search you will find I generally don't join in when media figures are getting slagged off.

And no slight was intended by my reference to a "tent" at Great Leighs, although that's what I thought it was. The whole room was decked out in white from floor to rather high ceiling and looked very much like a wedding reception I once attended in a tent.

However, I just couldn't resist being amused at the notion of Thommo, all dressed up for Ascot, being forced/choosing to miss the actual racing and getting sent/agreeing to go elsewhere. It's the sort of thing that Alan Partridge would do. [/b][/quote]
Say no more, big fella.

Dont know what Thommo is like as a father, husband, or a man, but as a racing personality he is an eejit, without the dignity to recognise himself as being lucky to be in the gainful employment that he is in with so little expertise. Deluded enough to set up a tipping line, and stubborn enough to continue running it when it was proven to be to all intents and purposes a sham, seemingly with no responsibility to the results of the tips to the gullible to phone in. With the class to mention the tipping line on the morning line with increasing frequency, in an attempt to get more gullible people to ring the premium number. He is obviously hard done by with the over-the-top criticism.

To think there is someone who actually wants to be a race-caller not getting the work as he is chosen by the closed set that is the racecourse. Think it was at lingfield all-weather where he called three winners wrong in the one day. Do you think, he'd apologies to the punter? Any humility?

I don't mind the buffoon-for-hire bit that he does for CH4, but make no mistake that it is only the inertia in the industry that has him in employment.
 
Rare you'll find me saying this but credit where it's due - Chapman taking on some guy on the Betfair forum just there was hilarious.
 
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