Chapman v Smith

[Desert Orchid]

If you have a spare 90 minutes, check out the interview at the ATR site.

[Desert Orchid]

I'm halfway through it. I presume they either know each other away from the studio or it has been agreed beforehand that MC will take a controversial stance but his manner is grossly impolite.

Smith is doing well to keep batting back unflustered.

I reckon a good right hook to the jaw would keep MC quiet for a couple of months.

[Colin Phillips]

Can I volunteer for that task.

[Grasshopper]

[Desert Orchid]

I actually wrote the OP just few minutes after the start, not really expecting MC to be as bad as he was. It was more that the topics of discussion interested me and I thought would interest others on here.

What struck me as it went on was how little understanding of basic handicapping MC has.

I'm an amateur but I'm an amateur who has spent decades working at it trying to improve my analyses and have arrived at certain conclusions partly through normal intellect and partly through trial and error.

If there is one thing I learned very early - and this from someone who was more or less told not to study physics into third year - is that weight is hugely important.

I didn't need to read up anything to work out for myself that a length over 5 furlongs at Epsom is worth about 4lbs while a length in the Grand National is worth only about half-a-pound, possible even less in very soft ground.

For MC to contend that if all horses ran in the National off 11st it wouldn't have a material affect on the result simply beggars belief. What little credibility he already had in my eyes simply evaporated when he said that.

[Diamond Geezer]

If there is one thing I learned very early - and this from someone who was more or less told not to study physics into third year - is that weight is hugely important.

I didn't need to read up anything to work out for myself that a length over 5 furlongs at Epsom is worth about 4lbs while a length in the Grand National is worth only about half-a-pound, possible even less in very soft ground.

For MC to contend that if all horses ran in the National off 11st it wouldn't have a material affect on the result simply beggars belief. What little credibility he already had in my eyes simply evaporated when he said that.

Do you think MC was Phil Waters in a previous life Dessie ?

[Desert Orchid]

No, DG. Remember, I once had a few pints with PW

[Tanlic]

Your bones get brittle when you get older Colin but I'm sure someone can lend you a cricket bat.

Just in case you get nabbed you will need to practice :- https://youtu.be/bPtnhauCw5c

[archie]

I'm withholding judgement until I see what mark Bunk Off Early gets in the County Hurdle.

[Frankel]

I assume Chappers gets to return the 'compliment'!

[archie]

Chapman is a professional provocateur and much better than, say, McCririck. Smith seems to enjoy the limelight now he's at the end of his handicapping career and will probably relish the regular gigs post retirement.

[TheBear]

I like the confrontational style, as they both agree the handicapper should be held to account. Also to be fair to Chapman for most of the show he’s just a conduit for the viewers questions. Very little of it is his own opinion.


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[G-G]

Surprised he actually let Smith answer - usually he just talks over everyone.