SD's Racing Ramble: ITV Racing needs to do better

Personally, I thought from a granular form perspective, Sir Gino’s win told us very little apart from him being fit and well. Drastic cuts to the Champion Hurdle market are an overreaction. Lossiemouth achieved more and is priced accordingly.

But on ITV, it is about time they were taken to task. Samuel The Cat on X informs their followers that since the 31st August there have been 45 selections on The Opening Show. Two have won. Given the level stake is £20, the loss is £751.33.

Very sadly the experts have struggled again
ITV opening show £20 challenge updates
-£60 ON DAY
Aggregate PL from 310824 minus £751.33
45 tips 2 Winners 42 losers 1 Placed
Ruby The Changing Man £20 LOST
Scu Walkadina £20 LOST
Oli Denmat £20 LOSTpic.twitter.com/QAEZuCs6Oj

— samuel the cat (@inglisdrev82) November 30, 2024

I don’t mind admitting at stupid times I look at “the form” for probably three hours. And then I look again. Either ITV pundits are unable to do this, their interpretation is terrible or they don’t know what they are talking about. With a strike rate such as that, I would expect to be told to sharpen my pencil.

I am no fan of ITV racing. But I do understand that they need to cater for a mass audience. However, the dilution of quality in empirical form analysis is there for all to see. It was not always thus.

Channel 4 used to inform us of market movers, give proper analysis via umpteen video replay and often come to the right conclusion. They had charity bets, so the winnings (which would be diddly squat in ITV’s race) actually had some meaning. And they had people who understood a formbook.

ITV Racing's coverage pales in comparison to that of their predecessors. (Photo credit: Alamy Images)

Much of ITV’s coverage is spent diluting matters without such analysis. They lack a form expert (Dan Barber is good on Sunday’s) and simplify everything. This is not the case on for example Match of The Day, Britain’s most watched programme where analysis is at the forefront. In diluting the offering, the end product ends up crap for ITV. If football can do it, instead of taking the public for mugs, why can’t racing? It beats the meek end product churning out week after week.

There is also a moral obligation to do as well. Whether ITV likes it or not, there will be a section of viewers who follow those tips. Betting is an integral part of racing and should not be chased to the sidelines. It should be embraced with enthusiasm, rather than being regarded as a naughty thing.

This year’s King George does look a below par renewal. My feeling is Corbetts Cross would need very soft ground to turn up, Il Est Francais has more issues than a Masterchef host and Skelton will be loathed to run two against each other.