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Welcome Back Old Friends

Hope we get some rain soon so they can actually run. It’s getting a bit frustrating when I constantly see reports on those I have a (very small) share in saying they’re ready to run but need some give in the ground to be risked
 
Ah, those were the days, Ian. Quite how the BBC can call itself the national broadcaster when it ignores the second most popular sport in the country is a mystery.
 
I was brought up (my Dad was first generation middle class, consequently a terrible snob and despised ITV as "working class TV") to love the BBC and I was lucky enough to work on Grandstand for a spell in the late 1980s/early 1990s, including this corresponding Chepstow Saturday.

It was a magical place to be.

I find the BBC of today completely unrecognisable from the gently educational, gently tongue-in-cheek, colossus it was back in the day.

Now it's this dumbed-down mess, in an eternal race with ITV to find the lowest common denominator.

I was also lucky enough to be a guest in a private box at Kempton for the King George meeting a few years ago.

John Inverdale and his family were guests too and we got chatting - I liked him (and I don't like many people).

He thought exactly the same as me - and maybe you - about how far the BBC has fallen from its golden age.

I actually resent paying the licence fee nowadays - which is sad considering my personal history with it.
 
Imo in general the bbc panders to certain demographics and not others, I view it as very north london centric these days and as such watch almost none of it's output
 
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Ian_Davies said:
Tomorrow's card at Chepstow back in the day used to be the first autumn, BBC Grandstand-televised, jumps meeting of the new season.
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I'm fairly sure that the Silver Trophy Handicap Hurdle on tomorrow's card used to be held in early November, and Jenny Pitman had quite a few winners in the race. Dan Skelton runs five in it this year which isn't ideal for anyone trying to find the winner though Joyeux Machin is one I am carrying over from last season. And maybe David Pipe's Punchestown winner, Thanksforthehelp, as well.

The BBC's winter racing coverage was often interspersed with rallycross from Lydden Hill, didn't allow any time for analysis or pre-race interviews with owners and trainers, and was usually concluded by 2 or 2:30 to allow coverage of a rugby game. There wasn't a need to fill the gaps between races with chat then.
 
Jayhawk said:
I'm fairly sure that the Silver Trophy Handicap Hurdle on tomorrow's card used to be held in early November,
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Yoy may well be right inasmuch as it definitely didn't used to feature in this card tomorrow. which heralded the return of the Jumps on the BBC with the race that is now the Native River (Mercedes Benz sponsored it for years) and the Free Handicap Hurdle for 4yo, which Timeform used to sponsor.
 
Jayhawk said:
I'm fairly sure that the Silver Trophy Handicap Hurdle on tomorrow's card used to be held in early November, and Jenny Pitman had quite a few winners in the race. Dan Skelton runs five in it this year which isn't ideal for anyone trying to find the winner though Joyeux Machin is one I am carrying over from last season. And maybe David Pipe's Punchestown winner, Thanksforthehelp, as well.

The BBC's winter racing coverage was often interspersed with rallycross from Lydden Hill, didn't allow any time for analysis or pre-race interviews with owners and trainers, and was usually concluded by 2 or 2:30 to allow coverage of a rugby game. There wasn't a need to fill the gaps between races with chat then.
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Royal Infantry for me. Looks well handicapped and Harry's presumably had first pick
 
I’m under strict orders to watch, not bet, as the opening shots are fired. If I get tempted it’ll be with the favourite, French Ship.
 
NH_Andy said:
Royal Infantry for me. Looks well handicapped and Harry's presumably had first pick
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I was surprised he's picked that one over Joyecx Machin thought that looked like a Coral cup horse last year. Probably speaks volumes as to where they are at in terms of being ready for the day. If he'd of been on JM id have certainly of bet it.
 
Joyeaux machin cost me last year.so I will have to do it but should just watch really.
But I backed one today that won.sticktotheplan.
 
2.45 Chepstow Ile de Jersey improved for the step up in trip last time and can continue here
3.20 Chepstow Idy Wood for the in form Jamie Snowden/Gavin Sheehan combination
 
viking said:
2.45 Chepstow Ile de Jersey improved for the step up in trip last time and can continue here
3.20 Chepstow Idy Wood for the in form Jamie Snowden/Gavin Sheehan combination
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Idy Wood
Jamie Snowden
Having been placed in two Irish Point-to-Points, he won on his NH rules debut in a bumper at Newbury. He won two novice hurdles and was placed in two Grade 2 novice events. He won well on chasing debut at Kempton in October and again at Ludlow in the spring. He looks better handicapped over hurdles now and he won well on his seasonal debut, and this has always been the plan. He should run well, but it is as competitive as ever.
 

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