BEN’S BLOG: ‘The essential atmosphere provided by the betting-ring’

[dropcap]B[/dropcap]log, I am shocked to read Mark Johnston’s words, on the front-page, of the Racing Post today. He believes that ALL coverage of betting should be removed from ITV’s racing offering. The man must be deluded. The buzz of the betting-ring, and the thrill of backing a horse for the first time, is what brings a HUGE amount of people into the game.

I will never forget my first visit to Hove Dogs, at the age of 12, and my £2 place-bet, on Sarah Jones, romping home. I looked out, over the tic-tacs and floormen, the chalk dust in the air, and the cut and thrust of the ring, AND I KNEW THAT I’D FOUND MY PLACE ON THIS EARTH.

In other news:

Dear Editor,

Poor Mark Johnston! Has he fallen off one of his beautiful horses and had a terrible bang on the head?! He’s talking more rubbish than I’ve ever heard, and that includes most of the waffle, I come out with half the time!

‘All coverage of betting should be removed from ITV’s programmes’. Does MJ think we should be further bored to tears by more breeding jargon and interviews with the privileged Establishment..? How awful..! Channel 4 was never more fun than when Big Mac and Barry Dennis were winding each other up.

Without the betting-ring, racetracks would lack any type of atmosphere and buzz. As I am sure Mr Johnston will have seen with his own eyes when he has been racing in France. It makes Monmore Dogs on a Tuesday afternoon look positively electric..!

Kind regards,

Ben Keith
(Star Sports Owner)

Betting ring picture thanks to Simon Nott