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

Having amassed a loyal following on our Races Now YouTube channel thanks to a combination of outstanding tipping and forthright opinions, the inimitable 'SD' has now signed up for a weekly column right here on OddsNow.com!

Today's latest edition takes a closer look at ITV Racing's meagre coverage.

We’ve just come back from a terrific weekend of racing, covered in the most part by ITV.

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.

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.

L’Homme Presse is a doughty opponent to them all, who has a touch of quality and has run well in the contest before. His double figure odds make some each way appeal in a contest which is unlikely to attract eight runners. He’s likely to go straight there and already has beaten Protektorat.

For more SD racing insight, be sure to subscribe to the Odds Now and Races Now YouTube channels, and follow Races Now on X (Twitter).