Ascot to ATR evens up the TV odds IRISH racing stepped out and Ascot stepped in again.

The latest media rights manoeuvres has returned some equilibrium to the battle between the two dedicated racing channels. A few months after it was announced that Irish racing pictures will be moving from At The Races to Racing UK next year, we learned this week that Ascot is going the other way, back to ATR where it was pre-2014. Chester has also moved to ATR, balancing out Saturday coverage.

Whatever happens next, it’s a plus for ATR and for viewers in general. ATR would have struggled without Irish racing if it did not secure more British tracks. The HD pictures will be a long awaited bonus too for the channel, which will be rebranded as Sky Sports Racing.

As we’ve seen in recent weeks, Racing UK struggles through the summer Saturdays, simply because it has too many meetings. Newmarket, Ascot, York and Chester today. There were clashes and split-screens during the Saturday of Royal Ascot. And they say Irish racing will get full coverage next year?

Racing UK took over the Ascot coverage in 2014 and it has been an excellent spell. They really covered all the angles of the summer extravaganza.

Sky Sports Racing takes over at Ascot from next March with the high definition pictures on the new channel coming on stream from January.

They will also need to be on the look-out for new presenters because, for those big meetings, the Racing UK team is in general a class above the ATR effort.

It takes time to make a legend

IN his Racing Post column, Alastair Down frequently gives vent to his annoyance over words that have moved into popular conversation but are generally overused or used incorrectly.

Few words fit that bill as easily in these times as the word ‘legend’.

It’s become accepted to use the word to describe modern sportstars. In racing, many are worthy of the title. Famed trainers, horses and stallions. But let’s not diminish those worthy of such praise by attaching the word so liberally to something or someone who is only beginning to excel or show above average ability.

What do those already in the legends’ club think?. Oh, hold on, most are dead. That tells its own tale.

Muhammed Ali, Jack Nicholson, Sir Alex Ferguson and, Roger Federer were and are, legends in their own lifetimes. It’s down to a long career of feats that will rarely be replicated, that is the requirement.

In Irish racing and breeding, we have many who fit the bill - Arkle, Tom Dreaper, Paddy Mullins, Vincent O’Brien, Sadler’s Wells.

However, the trend of over-use and grabbing a superlative is contagious. A recent headline conferred legendary status on Camelot. He was said to be “quickly becoming a legend” after his recent run of success made it look like he will be a very successful stallion.

The clue was in the headline this time. No, legends don’t come quickly.

Farewell Finian’s FINIAN’s Oscar this week became the latest jumping star to be lost with so much still to give. Memories of Golden Cygnet, French Holly, Darlan, Our Conor, Vautour and many more came to mind.

His early promise in points, graduating to winning a Grade 1 novice hurdle in three months, and further top notch performances as a novice at Aintree and Punchestown will not be forgotten. He looked tough, sound and hugely talented.

Last season’s programme didn’t please all his fans but he looked back on track to fulfil his potential with a win at Aintree and was poised for another victory at Punchestown.

Backing him for the 2019 Cheltenham Gold Cup did not look too ambitious.

That he died during the summer recess, like Vautour, again emphasised that we should run our horses while they are fit and well because they are very fragile beasts.