Horseracing On TV: C4 soft pedalling does viewers no favours as Murtagh hits the accelerator too late

General / Graham Cunningham / 08 May 2009 / 2 Comments

Big Mac the lone voice of dissent as C4 lets the punters down at Chester.

Isn't it amazing how two teams of racing broadcasters can witness the same event unfolding and yet react to what they have seen in completely opposite fashion?

It happened again at Chester on Thursday when Johnny Murtagh dropped the 13-8 favourite Masterofthehorse out well in rear in the Chester Vase only to be left with egg on his face as a strong late flourish left the Sadler's Wells colt still two lengths shy of reeling in his 25-1 stablemate Golden Sword.

If you saw the race in question you will have your own opinions on whether Murtagh was guilty of giving his mount too much to do, but the Channel 4 and Racing UK racecourse teams could hardly have reacted in more contrasting fashion.

Lydia Hislop and Steve Mellish of Racing UK were unanimous that Murtagh had been guilty of riding an injudicious race, with Mellish describing the ride as "absolutely extraordinary."

But, with the notable exception of John McCririck, the C4 the reaction was much more muted.

Jim "Jimbo" McGrath chose to play a very straight bat as anchorman.

John "Francs" Francome gave the impression that he would rather have his teeth pulled out with rusty pliers than admit that anything amiss had occurred, while Mike "the Cat" Cattermole resisted all temptation to get to the heart of the matter and instead tossed Murtagh a friendly full toss of "was he ever travelling for you?"

For what it's worth, I suspect time will show Golden Sword is the sort of horse who should never be underestimated when given his own way.

But I also feel strongly that in the best interests of punters and the rules of racing Murtagh should clearly have asked Masterofthehorse to improve from a remote last well before he finally switched him outside swinging for home.

Some might say I would say that given that I have a foot in the RUK camp, but I also know many of the C4 team fairly well.

I know most of them understand perfectly well how to pick the bones out of a contentious race like the Vase. And I know they have the skills to express their feelings with crystal clarity off camera.

But in instances like this they just keep going native. Perhaps they are uncomfortable at putting people they like to believe are their friends under scrutiny.

Or perhaps they are mindful that alienating the Ballydoyle team so early in the season might backfire as regards securing cosy interviews with the stars in future broadcasts.

Either way, it's no wonder many punters are heartily sick of seeing some broadcasters soft pedal whenever a controversial issue rears its head.

Viewers know full well that it just isn't good enough. And the saddest thing of all is that, deep down, I suspect that some of the C4 team know it isn't good enough, too.

Comments (2)

1. charles joyce | 08 May 2009

   Johnny Murtagh is big enough and good enough to take justifiable criticisms when he gets it wrong. As shown when he was interviewed on RUK after rding Frozen Fire. With Masterofthehorse it certainly looked as if it got it wrong. I don't often agree with Big Mac, but this time he was right. Although criticisms should not go as far as the abuse thrown at Murtagh by members of the crowd after his ride on Frozen Fire. There was no need for it.

2. Brian Dutton | 10 May 2009

   Horses held up and delivered too late (because usually non-triers) are a daily feature of horse-racing, involving collusion, of course. But, is it surprising that TV race-pundits, et al, are evasive when stewards themselves are not only reticent but all too often totally silent. The sport needs a thorough overhaul, not only of its rules, but also of the dubious conventions that are now allowed to pass muster, such as backing horses to lose. Such an investigative overhaul should involve all with an intersting in the sport, particularly the too-often-abused punter.
   Brian Dutton