McCririck not only favourite in racing line-up

I READ with interest JD Woodhead’s letter regarding Channel 4 Racing (Yorkshire Post, January 19) and The Morning Line. I cannot see that John McCririck will win compensation, as I believe he was to sue over ageism and he was not the only one to be shown the door. Myself and others would have put him out to grass years ago.

However, although his infantile antics did make you cringe, he was quite a character and unfortunately the new company seems to want safe and bland as far as the new format goes.

I was more upset that Derek Thompson must have been told his job was to go right in the middle of his treatment for cancer. John Francome was excellent and a big loss – and now we can see why he didn’t want to stay – and the rest of the old team are missed. We had straight-talking, opposing views, a little bit of innocent flirting, and always some humour, all-in-all it made racing entertaining.

Although Clare Balding is an excellent presenter, it seems she has other commitments. For the life of me I cannot understand why Rishi Persad was even considered. He has always come across as nervous and uncomfortable with the subject.

I fell out of love with the BBC coverage when at some meetings it seemed to be more about who was wearing what than the racing itself.

The presenters now sit in a plush caravan with their “magic coffee table.” They can now touch the table top and put graphics on the screen for us, some too small to read and in wishy-washy colours. Oh, the wonders of technology! (The viewer now feels as if they are intruding on some private board meeting!).

Quite a few seem to be calling it “The Boring Line” and sadly it has lost its sparkle.