I'm not familiar with Andy Holding's work, but always been a big fan of Rory's. Great combination of form knowledge, racing's history, honest assessment, and common-touch (no emphasis on 'common' here, Rory, in case you're looking-in).
If racing wants to attract new audiences, it needs people who speak the language of the internet. Not just when it comes to betting, but simply as a matter of presenting style. The old crusties are a complete anachronism, and don't connect with racing's target market in any way, shape or form. Ex-jockeys, worn-out journos, hangers-on from the racing-set, and refugees from bookmakers, make no effort to modulate racing's inscrutable language, to make it accessible to the desired demographic. It really needs people like Rory who can translate racing-speak into something Joe Public understands, to grab these viewers attention, and be able to hold onto it.
I've often thought about what I wish I'd known right-away, when I started racing.......instead of having to learn the hard-way i.e. endlessly spu*nking cash up the wall, until I sort of figured it out (this gives me an idea for a thread).
American Football was on the TV for years, but despite this, at the start of each season, there would be a brief run-down of the rules, scoring system etc. It was no use to me whatsoever, but essential for anyone unfamiliar with the game, but whose interest was sufficiently piqued, to go to the trouble of checking it out. It would be no bad thing, imo, if this new show on ITV, adopted a similar approach, and tried to give some sort of education about how the sport operates, rather than focusing solely on form.
For example, the casual viewer does not benefit from knowing that a horse has a 16lb turnaround for 7L against the favourite, if he/she has no concept of lb-for-length handicapping. Most casual viewers probably don't even appreciate that Flat and Jumps are two entirely separate things. They are ignorant of even these simplest demarcations. Don't believe me? Then ask a friend to name as many Derby Winners as they can. It's practically guaranteed that someone will mention Desert Orchid and/or Red Rum. They will have no clue who Arkle is, and they will have no clue who Nijinsky is either.
This new show should seek to educate the viewer on these and other matters.
A 20-minute vignette each Saturday showing the history of the sport - possibly particular to races being held that day - would give the viewer a historical reference-point, which might help expand their interest. Showcase a particular aspect of the sport each week. Show how betting-markets work, and the difference between FO and Exchanges. Show them how the Race Programme works, and how Class of Race relates directly to ability. Show them why breeding exists, and how some lines are more successful than others (summer only). Dare I say it, even have a "What are the Forums/Twitter saying?" segment. And get some 'If you would like to know more..." URLs scrolling across the bottom of the screen every now and then, linking people to places like here, where they can get an even more detailed education from people who have the time and inclination to do so.
There is so much more that racing coverage could be doing from an editorial point of view, beyond it's formulaic 'Here are the horses, here is their form, that was the race' approach, to make it accessible to the casual viewer. Let's hope that the new mob have some creative ideas, otherwise it's another opportunity lost.
..you beat me by weeks this time
