There has been a great deal of debate on Racing forums recently about the commentating ability of Jim McGrath.
Allow me to play Devil’s advocate here and present the following –
Those of us who follow racing closely mostly watch the racing on course or via one of the specialist racing channels.
For Joe Public most of their experience of racing comes via terrestrial television and that is the main shop window for the sport to attract potential future racegoers.
Whether we like it or not, there is a responsibility for the public service broadcaster to ensure the best commentator provides the commentary, if the commentary and presentation on terrestrial TV is bland and average it will be less likely to attract new followers to the sport.
My earliest racing memories were, as a child, listening enthralled to the commentaries of Peter O’Sullevan and Tony Cook on the television and those, more than anything else, first kindled my interest racing.
For many years it was “The Voice” who filled that role perfectly. To be honest whoever followed him was almost on a hiding to nothing as he was a near impossible act to follow. At the time Jim McGrath was probably the best caller to take on the mantle.
Although his commentaries are perfectly adequate I think there is a common consensus that Jim’s commentaries are not as good and do not have the same edge or enthusiasm as they once had.
As a responsible broadcaster is it not incumbent of the BBC to consider if they currently have the best person in the role?
The trouble with the BBC is once you are in place you almost have a job for life. (I used to work for the BBC and I remember being told on my first day, only half jokingly, you can have an affair with the DG’s wife if you want – the only thing they will sack you for here is not buying a TV licence). The BBC also seem to like to plan succession, Jim was clearly in place to follow Sir Peter and it looks as though Barty is there to eventually succeed Jim.
For all their faults C4 will replace their senior caller if a better option is available (Simon Holt replacing GG for example)
C4 are, more and more, reverting to using the on course commentary instead of their usual team. Mark Slater was used for Bangor today and I notice Lee McKenzie is apparently being used at Wincanton next Saturday.
This begs the question, does the BBC need to have a staff commentator?
Racing is probably unique amongst mainstream sports in that it provides commentary at the venue. The standard of oncourse commentary is better than ever, so why not, like C4, use the racecourse feed?
Saturday, 29 December 2007
Sunday, 23 December 2007
No racing then the King George
Day one of those three dreak days each year when there is no racing.
OK I am being selfish, the hard working stable staff deserve a break, even though the horses still need looking after over Christmas.
To get an appreciation of a day at the races for a stable lass may I recommend the following http://www.theracingforum.co.uk/features/ it is a very good read.
After the break racing is back with a vengeance, with no less than eight meetings on Boxing Day and on Thursday there is the Welsh National.
The highlight of the Boxing Day fare must be the King George at Kempton, where Kauto Star attempts to win the race for the second year running. In all his previous races over the past two seasons I have made arguments for him to be beaten and have only been right once.
On Wednesday he faces just six rivals and I find it hard to find a horse to beat him. His arch enemy Exotic Dancer is happier left handed and does not like Kempton. Hi Cloy is good but the King George is too high a class race for him. For My Way De Solzen, although he has some hurdles form over 3 miles I still have doubts as to whether it is too far against such classy opposition. Racing Demon is another who I think 3 miles is pushing the limit. Taranis gets the 3 miles and cannot be ruled out, although he would need to improve a few pounds to challenge Kauto Star.
This leaves Our Vic, who at 9 years old is pretty much exposed and who is arguably better over 2½ miles than three. However the Pipe stable are in great form at the moment and the run of Vodka Bleu at Ascot on Saturday shows that Pipe can still get something out of his old boys. At around 20/1 I think Our Vic could be a good each way investment.
Whatever you are doing over the coming few days, have a good holiday.
OK I am being selfish, the hard working stable staff deserve a break, even though the horses still need looking after over Christmas.
To get an appreciation of a day at the races for a stable lass may I recommend the following http://www.theracingforum.co.uk/features/ it is a very good read.
After the break racing is back with a vengeance, with no less than eight meetings on Boxing Day and on Thursday there is the Welsh National.
The highlight of the Boxing Day fare must be the King George at Kempton, where Kauto Star attempts to win the race for the second year running. In all his previous races over the past two seasons I have made arguments for him to be beaten and have only been right once.
On Wednesday he faces just six rivals and I find it hard to find a horse to beat him. His arch enemy Exotic Dancer is happier left handed and does not like Kempton. Hi Cloy is good but the King George is too high a class race for him. For My Way De Solzen, although he has some hurdles form over 3 miles I still have doubts as to whether it is too far against such classy opposition. Racing Demon is another who I think 3 miles is pushing the limit. Taranis gets the 3 miles and cannot be ruled out, although he would need to improve a few pounds to challenge Kauto Star.
This leaves Our Vic, who at 9 years old is pretty much exposed and who is arguably better over 2½ miles than three. However the Pipe stable are in great form at the moment and the run of Vodka Bleu at Ascot on Saturday shows that Pipe can still get something out of his old boys. At around 20/1 I think Our Vic could be a good each way investment.
Whatever you are doing over the coming few days, have a good holiday.
Friday, 14 December 2007
Huntingdon Fiasco
Why does racing have a propensity to shoot itself in the foot?
With all the mud slinging and stigma following the collapse of the race fixing trial at the Old Bailey, you would think racing would keep a low profile and step up its PR.
Not at all. Huntingdon racecourse managed to upset both racing professionals and racegoers in a monumental way, with the late abandonment of it’s meeting on Thursday.
With all the mud slinging and stigma following the collapse of the race fixing trial at the Old Bailey, you would think racing would keep a low profile and step up its PR.
Not at all. Huntingdon racecourse managed to upset both racing professionals and racegoers in a monumental way, with the late abandonment of it’s meeting on Thursday.
It was announced that the course was to hold a “precautionary” inspection at 9:30 following colder than expected overnight temperatures. However the course were optimistic about racing going ahead.
The 9:30 inspection took place and it was announced there would be a further inspection at 10:30 as there had been early morning fog and the sun had only just broken through.
The 10:30 inspection took place and the course was passed fit for racing. There was no mention of any further inspections.
When I arrived at the course around 11:30 it was immediately clear that the ground was not fit for racing, it still had plenty of frost in it. I wasn’t at all surprised when I was told there was to be an inspection at 12:00.
I was also equally unsurprised when, following the inspection, racing was abandoned.
Let me stress that I have absolutely no issue with the racing being called off, the track was not fit to race.
However I do have the following questions:-
Why was the first inspection called a “precautionary” inspection, when it was abundantly clear there was a severe frost in the ground?
On what basis were the comments about being optimistic to race made?
Why after the 10:30 inspection, when it was abundantly clear the ground was not fit to race, was it announced that racing had passed an inspection. Why wasn’t a further inspection announced instead?
I realise they are under a great deal of pressure to ensure the meeting goes ahead if at all possible, after all if the fixture is abandoned the courses lose money. That is still no excuse for messing around with racegoers and connections.
A simple answer would be for the BHA to introduce an instruction stating that if the course is not fit for racing two hours before the scheduled first race time then the meeting must be abandoned. It won't help everyone but it will prevent a significant number of wasted journeys.
Thursday, 13 December 2007
Fallon Controversy
Well the fallout from the Kieren Fallon revelations continues to go on and on.
I belong to several Horse Racing Forums, in one of them there has been a very heated debate on the pros and cons of the saga.
On the one hand there are those, like myself, who feel Fallon has run out of goodwill and should be kicked out of the sport.
On the other side there are those, who feel equally passionately, that he has done nothing wrong, that there is nothing wrong in taking Class A drugs. There was even one poster, an admitted cocaine user, who delusionally said that cocaine isn’t even addictive.
Strongly differing views and the debate has been very fierce. The good think, whichever side you take, is the forum allows for the free expression and freedom of speech.
Or does it?
(I would say at this point the next part of the post is not directed at the particular forum, it is a more general observation.)
There has been a thread in a non-racing part of the forum which the administrator has had to remove due to complaints. The thread contained jokes following on from the recent teddy bear affair.
Here is one of the jokes:-
I bought a teddy for £10
I called him Mohamed
I sold him for £20
Have I made a prophet?
Jokes and satire have a major cultural contribution to make in that they are tools to point out the absurdities of life and they are a tool for defeating pomposity.
Yet in these days of political correctness, if enough people complain, then censorship prevails – this is wrong.
The situation with a teacher being jailed for naming a teddy bear Mohamed is absurd, almost to the point of disbelief. The absurdity of the situation needs to be pointed out and telling jokes is a good way of making the point.
I belong to several Horse Racing Forums, in one of them there has been a very heated debate on the pros and cons of the saga.
On the one hand there are those, like myself, who feel Fallon has run out of goodwill and should be kicked out of the sport.
On the other side there are those, who feel equally passionately, that he has done nothing wrong, that there is nothing wrong in taking Class A drugs. There was even one poster, an admitted cocaine user, who delusionally said that cocaine isn’t even addictive.
Strongly differing views and the debate has been very fierce. The good think, whichever side you take, is the forum allows for the free expression and freedom of speech.
Or does it?
(I would say at this point the next part of the post is not directed at the particular forum, it is a more general observation.)
There has been a thread in a non-racing part of the forum which the administrator has had to remove due to complaints. The thread contained jokes following on from the recent teddy bear affair.
Here is one of the jokes:-
I bought a teddy for £10
I called him Mohamed
I sold him for £20
Have I made a prophet?
Jokes and satire have a major cultural contribution to make in that they are tools to point out the absurdities of life and they are a tool for defeating pomposity.
Yet in these days of political correctness, if enough people complain, then censorship prevails – this is wrong.
The situation with a teacher being jailed for naming a teddy bear Mohamed is absurd, almost to the point of disbelief. The absurdity of the situation needs to be pointed out and telling jokes is a good way of making the point.
Monday, 10 December 2007
Cold Turkey
They say coming off an addiction can be hard, be it drugs, booze or any of the 1,001 other things you could become addicted to.
I haven't been racing for ten days and I am feeling the effects, I am irritable – nothing new there some will say, and am itching to get back to the course.
I am even looking forward to going to Southwell tomorrow and that from someone who isn’t all weather racings greatest advocate.
My last race meeting was at Towcester, a week last Saturday when I came home cold and wet. Those of you who know Towcester will know there is very little shelter when the weather isn’t clement.
The first race of the day would have suited “what happened next” – four fallers at the first and a Foinavonesque event at the ditch in front of the stands that took out all but two contenders. Two of the hampered horses eventually restarted, coming in a good two minutes after the first two.
I wanted to write about the race on my web site, but due to the Fasthosts fiasco I couldn’t. There is enough about the fiasco in earlier posts on this blog.
As a result of trying to get my web site working I had to forgo two race meetings, no wonder my mood is soured!!
Then last Wednesday was the annual shopping trip to France. Visiting the Christmas markets. Eating wonderful French food, ending with a trip to the Hypermarket on the way back.
It’s easy to spot the Brits in the French Hypermarkets, they are the ones who make a bee line for the booze aisles then fill their trolleys up as if prohibition is about to be announced.
I must be an abnormal Brit as my total booze purchasing was two bottles of champagne and a bottle of calvados, all intended as presents. My shopping time was spent in the fresh food aisles, buying wonderful fresh fish (plus half a kilo of giant crevettes to eat on the shuttle coming home), the cheese and cold mead counters, even the vegetable counters. All of which would put any UK supermarket to shame.
If I lived in Kent I would do all my food shopping in France, it would be worth the fare to get there.
Thursday was recovering and getting so angry about my web site still being down, I decided to transfer the site to a new provider.
Friday was getting my site uploaded to the new provider, so racing was off the agenda again. Just as well as it happens with the breaking news from the Old Bailey, but without an up an running website it was also frustrating.
Saturday was going to be racing at Sandown but with the Fallon drugs story breaking it was a day at the keyboard, at least I finally had a working web site.
Yesterday was going to be Warwick races but I woke up feeling like, well feeling like something that is not discussed in polite company. I actually was determined to go, I had the racecard printed off, my race reading sheets were ready. I even put my coat on, convincing myself the fresh air would do me good. As soon as I stepped outside the front door the heavens opened with rain of biblical proportions – someone was telling me something.
So now I cannot wait to get my fix tomorrow. This will be the longest period I have not been racing for ages. I even go racing when I am on holiday for goodness sake.
Now where are my bins? I need a fix.
I haven't been racing for ten days and I am feeling the effects, I am irritable – nothing new there some will say, and am itching to get back to the course.
I am even looking forward to going to Southwell tomorrow and that from someone who isn’t all weather racings greatest advocate.
My last race meeting was at Towcester, a week last Saturday when I came home cold and wet. Those of you who know Towcester will know there is very little shelter when the weather isn’t clement.
The first race of the day would have suited “what happened next” – four fallers at the first and a Foinavonesque event at the ditch in front of the stands that took out all but two contenders. Two of the hampered horses eventually restarted, coming in a good two minutes after the first two.
I wanted to write about the race on my web site, but due to the Fasthosts fiasco I couldn’t. There is enough about the fiasco in earlier posts on this blog.
As a result of trying to get my web site working I had to forgo two race meetings, no wonder my mood is soured!!
Then last Wednesday was the annual shopping trip to France. Visiting the Christmas markets. Eating wonderful French food, ending with a trip to the Hypermarket on the way back.
It’s easy to spot the Brits in the French Hypermarkets, they are the ones who make a bee line for the booze aisles then fill their trolleys up as if prohibition is about to be announced.
I must be an abnormal Brit as my total booze purchasing was two bottles of champagne and a bottle of calvados, all intended as presents. My shopping time was spent in the fresh food aisles, buying wonderful fresh fish (plus half a kilo of giant crevettes to eat on the shuttle coming home), the cheese and cold mead counters, even the vegetable counters. All of which would put any UK supermarket to shame.
If I lived in Kent I would do all my food shopping in France, it would be worth the fare to get there.
Thursday was recovering and getting so angry about my web site still being down, I decided to transfer the site to a new provider.
Friday was getting my site uploaded to the new provider, so racing was off the agenda again. Just as well as it happens with the breaking news from the Old Bailey, but without an up an running website it was also frustrating.
Saturday was going to be racing at Sandown but with the Fallon drugs story breaking it was a day at the keyboard, at least I finally had a working web site.
Yesterday was going to be Warwick races but I woke up feeling like, well feeling like something that is not discussed in polite company. I actually was determined to go, I had the racecard printed off, my race reading sheets were ready. I even put my coat on, convincing myself the fresh air would do me good. As soon as I stepped outside the front door the heavens opened with rain of biblical proportions – someone was telling me something.
So now I cannot wait to get my fix tomorrow. This will be the longest period I have not been racing for ages. I even go racing when I am on holiday for goodness sake.
Now where are my bins? I need a fix.
Saturday, 8 December 2007
Fallon - Hero to Zero?
Yesterday Kieren Fallon was on a high as the corruption case against him was dropped at the Old Bailey, however behind his smiles, as he emerged from Court, he knew another bombshell was about to drop.
Today a rumour that has been circulating in racing circles for a few weeks was confirmed, as a daily paper "broke" the news that Fallon had apparently failed a drug test following racing in France in August this year.
The news was later confirmed by Fallon's solicitor.
So far only the "A" sample has failed and a second "B" sample is now being analysed.There is no official confirmation as to the prohibited substance that has been detected.
Should Fallon fail the second sample he will inevitably face an official enquiry and if found guilty will face a lengthy ban, as this would be a second offence.
It seems that Fallon faces trouble at every turn.
Today a rumour that has been circulating in racing circles for a few weeks was confirmed, as a daily paper "broke" the news that Fallon had apparently failed a drug test following racing in France in August this year.
The news was later confirmed by Fallon's solicitor.
So far only the "A" sample has failed and a second "B" sample is now being analysed.There is no official confirmation as to the prohibited substance that has been detected.
Should Fallon fail the second sample he will inevitably face an official enquiry and if found guilty will face a lengthy ban, as this would be a second offence.
It seems that Fallon faces trouble at every turn.
Friday, 7 December 2007
Fallon Trial
The collapse of the race fixing trial cannot have been the most surprising news of the decade to those who have been following the case.
Having seen the “evidence” that was presented in court I have been at a loss to see how the case came to be prosecuted in the first place. The evidence was, at best, flimsy at worse unsubstantiated and circumstantial. The police surveillance operation looked like something organised by Inspector Clouseau rather than a competent force.
Whether it is a case of evidence being there and it not being presented due to police incompetence or whether the evidence was not there at all is immaterial. The accused have been told they have no case to answer and they are free men.
Now the case is over racing must face up to the implications. Not least the way Fallon was treated. There has always been a presumption of innocence under British law.
All three accused jockeys had their licences suspended, however in the cases of Lynch and Williams they were still given compensatory payments to cover the loss of earnings. In Fallon’s case, however, no compensation for loss of earnings was offered, the reason being he was licensed in Ireland, this seemed to ignore most of his earning came from this country. How is it possible for a man to be denied his livelihood when he has not been convicted of any offence?
It will be interesting to see what action, if any, Fallon takes against the racing authorities.
There will also be a large number of questions to be answered. The failure of this trial does not mean that racing is clean. There is corruption in racing, although it is not as bad as some would have you believe. Far too many punters look for an excuse when their horse fails to win and what easier excuse is there than to say the race was fixed. After all punters are so clever they always know what horse is going to win.
The danger is the failure of this case may well hinder future investigations into corruption.
The end of the trial almost certainly isn’t the end of the matter for the jockeys. Although the criminal charges were dropped, there were possible breaches of the rules of racing disclosed during the trial and these will be looked at by racing authorities.
The trial may be over but the story is not going to go away for a while yet.
Having seen the “evidence” that was presented in court I have been at a loss to see how the case came to be prosecuted in the first place. The evidence was, at best, flimsy at worse unsubstantiated and circumstantial. The police surveillance operation looked like something organised by Inspector Clouseau rather than a competent force.
Whether it is a case of evidence being there and it not being presented due to police incompetence or whether the evidence was not there at all is immaterial. The accused have been told they have no case to answer and they are free men.
Now the case is over racing must face up to the implications. Not least the way Fallon was treated. There has always been a presumption of innocence under British law.
All three accused jockeys had their licences suspended, however in the cases of Lynch and Williams they were still given compensatory payments to cover the loss of earnings. In Fallon’s case, however, no compensation for loss of earnings was offered, the reason being he was licensed in Ireland, this seemed to ignore most of his earning came from this country. How is it possible for a man to be denied his livelihood when he has not been convicted of any offence?
It will be interesting to see what action, if any, Fallon takes against the racing authorities.
There will also be a large number of questions to be answered. The failure of this trial does not mean that racing is clean. There is corruption in racing, although it is not as bad as some would have you believe. Far too many punters look for an excuse when their horse fails to win and what easier excuse is there than to say the race was fixed. After all punters are so clever they always know what horse is going to win.
The danger is the failure of this case may well hinder future investigations into corruption.
The end of the trial almost certainly isn’t the end of the matter for the jockeys. Although the criminal charges were dropped, there were possible breaches of the rules of racing disclosed during the trial and these will be looked at by racing authorities.
The trial may be over but the story is not going to go away for a while yet.
Fasthosts Password
Well the password arrived today - eight days after they locked out the passwords and a day after I moved to another web hosting company.
Unfortunately I am still without a web site as the transfer will take 24 - 48 hours to roll out and, surprise surprise, there are a large number of people moving web hosts at the moment.
Today I finally received an e-mail from Fasthosts, however all it did was repeat the same trite crap they have been spouting all week.
They should get my letter of cancellation tomorrow.
Unfortunately I am still without a web site as the transfer will take 24 - 48 hours to roll out and, surprise surprise, there are a large number of people moving web hosts at the moment.
Today I finally received an e-mail from Fasthosts, however all it did was repeat the same trite crap they have been spouting all week.
They should get my letter of cancellation tomorrow.
Thursday, 6 December 2007
Fasthosts Latest Update
Well it is now a week since Fasthosts screwed up my website and still no sign of a new password, so enough is enough. I have now begun the process to move to a new web host - well let's face it they cannot be any worse than Fasthosts!!!
I notice now that Fasthosts have been renamed on the web, they are now known as Farcehosts - how apt.
To rub salt in the wounds it has now become apparent that customers bank account details may have been compromised - oddly enough Fasthosts aren't saying anything about that one.
As a result I have had to spend time today getting new cards issued from the Bank - I really can do without all this. This a time when I should have been racing at Market Rasen.
I notice now that Fasthosts have been renamed on the web, they are now known as Farcehosts - how apt.
To rub salt in the wounds it has now become apparent that customers bank account details may have been compromised - oddly enough Fasthosts aren't saying anything about that one.
As a result I have had to spend time today getting new cards issued from the Bank - I really can do without all this. This a time when I should have been racing at Market Rasen.
Tuesday, 4 December 2007
Fasthosts (Non) Update
Well it is now Tuesday and the morons at Fasthosts still have not sent me a new password, so I still cannot update my web site.
They are incompetent idiots, there is nothing about the problem on their web site and they, and their parent company, simply ignore any e-mails that are sent to them.
It is interesting that the customer who was featured on the BBC web site yesterday was called by them yesterday afternoon and given his password - well done to him but I think it speaks volumes for Fasthosts' attitude in general
If you are thinking of setting up a web site avoid Fasthosts at all costs.
They are incompetent idiots, there is nothing about the problem on their web site and they, and their parent company, simply ignore any e-mails that are sent to them.
It is interesting that the customer who was featured on the BBC web site yesterday was called by them yesterday afternoon and given his password - well done to him but I think it speaks volumes for Fasthosts' attitude in general
If you are thinking of setting up a web site avoid Fasthosts at all costs.
Monday, 3 December 2007
Fasthosts Update
The fiasco continues.
Still no new password in the post today.
Still virtually impossible to get through on the phone and looking at updates on other forums it seems it is almost impossible to get them to reset the password over the phone.
Why aren't the media making more of this - there is finally something on the BBC web site, although I tipped them off last night.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/gloucestershire/7124755.stm
Although there are reports of many customers who did reset their passwords having their passwords changed.
Still no new password in the post today.
Still virtually impossible to get through on the phone and looking at updates on other forums it seems it is almost impossible to get them to reset the password over the phone.
Why aren't the media making more of this - there is finally something on the BBC web site, although I tipped them off last night.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/gloucestershire/7124755.stm
Although there are reports of many customers who did reset their passwords having their passwords changed.
Sunday, 2 December 2007
Not A Happy Bunny
I am a bloody unhappy bunny in fact.
I have been unable to update my web site since Thursday evening and when it is a dynamic site it is something of a serious pain in the arse.
It appears my web hosting company have had a security breach and as a result they have rescinded everyones password and are mailing out new passwords to everybody - using snail mail.
Meaning web sites cannot be upgraded until the postman delivers the letter - this in the build up to Christmas - not the brightest of moves.
Trying to contact them is a farce, no it is nigh on impossible.
To e-mail the support team you have to provide your account number and support PIN, however to get your support PIN you have to log into your control centre - which you cannot do without a password. Doh!!!
If the info is not provided the support e-mail is rejected and not read. Absolute crap customer service and you would have thought in the circumstances they would have turned off this automatic filtering to try and assist their customers.
So I tried to make contact via the sales team as that appeared to be an unfiltered e-mail address, basically they refused to help and told me to contact the support e-mail, even though I had explained in my mail why I couldn't use the e-mail support. Clearly their sales staff have a serious problem comprehending the English language and a complete lack of customer care or support.
The only other option was to phone the help desk. Well on Friday it was only possible to get an engaged tone. On Saturday you were able to join the queue. The first time I rang I was told I was number 48 in the queue, after 23 minutes I had reached the heady heights of 39 in the queue - 9 places in 23 minutes. This equates to a wait of two hours - I'm afraid I have better things to do with my life.
Just to add insult to injury they had this patronising apology message which kept playing saying how sorry they were and that they understood the inconvenience. Bollocks – if that had fully understood the impact on customers they would not have taken the action they did in the first place.
By mid-afternoon after many attempts and being fed up of joining the queue in the 40's, I actually managed to join the queue at number 38, so I decided to wait. After almost half an hour I had reached position 27, I was getting hopeful - then I was cut off!!! Are they taking the piss or what.
I have tried many more times, late night, early morning, several times today and the best I have ever achieved is joining the queue at position 39.
Clearly I am not the only person they have seriously hacked off.
This looks to me, to be not only a major cock-up but also a major failure in customer support and customer management. I'm sure I'm not the only customer who will be moving their web-site to another hosting company.
If you are thinking of setting up a website and you want to update it regularly, may I strongly recommend and suggest that you avoid Fasthosts like the plague.
I have been unable to update my web site since Thursday evening and when it is a dynamic site it is something of a serious pain in the arse.
It appears my web hosting company have had a security breach and as a result they have rescinded everyones password and are mailing out new passwords to everybody - using snail mail.
Meaning web sites cannot be upgraded until the postman delivers the letter - this in the build up to Christmas - not the brightest of moves.
Trying to contact them is a farce, no it is nigh on impossible.
To e-mail the support team you have to provide your account number and support PIN, however to get your support PIN you have to log into your control centre - which you cannot do without a password. Doh!!!
If the info is not provided the support e-mail is rejected and not read. Absolute crap customer service and you would have thought in the circumstances they would have turned off this automatic filtering to try and assist their customers.
So I tried to make contact via the sales team as that appeared to be an unfiltered e-mail address, basically they refused to help and told me to contact the support e-mail, even though I had explained in my mail why I couldn't use the e-mail support. Clearly their sales staff have a serious problem comprehending the English language and a complete lack of customer care or support.
The only other option was to phone the help desk. Well on Friday it was only possible to get an engaged tone. On Saturday you were able to join the queue. The first time I rang I was told I was number 48 in the queue, after 23 minutes I had reached the heady heights of 39 in the queue - 9 places in 23 minutes. This equates to a wait of two hours - I'm afraid I have better things to do with my life.
Just to add insult to injury they had this patronising apology message which kept playing saying how sorry they were and that they understood the inconvenience. Bollocks – if that had fully understood the impact on customers they would not have taken the action they did in the first place.
By mid-afternoon after many attempts and being fed up of joining the queue in the 40's, I actually managed to join the queue at number 38, so I decided to wait. After almost half an hour I had reached position 27, I was getting hopeful - then I was cut off!!! Are they taking the piss or what.
I have tried many more times, late night, early morning, several times today and the best I have ever achieved is joining the queue at position 39.
Clearly I am not the only person they have seriously hacked off.
This looks to me, to be not only a major cock-up but also a major failure in customer support and customer management. I'm sure I'm not the only customer who will be moving their web-site to another hosting company.
If you are thinking of setting up a website and you want to update it regularly, may I strongly recommend and suggest that you avoid Fasthosts like the plague.
Saturday, 1 December 2007
How To Ruin A Racecourse
My local racecourse is only 12 miles down the road and it used to be one of my favourites.
Note I am speaking in the past tense, sadly it is now one of my least favourite.
It's a course where people cannot even agree how it is pronounced, John Francome in his Salisbury burr pronounces it Tow-kester with the Tow rhyming with Cow. Others, including locals, pronounce it Toaster. Whicever way it is said it is spelt Towcester.
Set in a natural amphitheatre it offers great viewing. It used to have a lovely old grandstand, a bit rustic, but it had a roof and offered excellent viewing under shelter.
Unfortunately the stand was too rustic and the local council decided it needed to be demolished. It was a shame, however the course executive announced they would have a consultation with racegoers, so everything looked promising.
I’m not sure who they spoke to. Looking at the new stand it is apparent the ‘normal racegoer was not consulted. The top floor is dedicated to corporate boxed. The first floor to a restaurant. The public are offered tiered viewing, which, in the courses defence, does offer good viewing. However there is one thing missing and that is cover. If it rains the regular punter gets wet.
Today it rained at Towcester – if you wanted to watch the racing you get wet. If you want to shelter the area inside the stands is crushed beyond comfort or you can shelter in a tent.
Frankly Towcester have cocked up. How can you build a multi million pound stand and not provide any cover for punters when it rains?
Towcester have been very crafty – they have dropped any admission charges at most meetings. Yippee it’s free!! I thought this was a good altruistic move when it was first announced.
Now I have my doubts.
I think Towcester know they have cocked up with the new stand. By going down the free admission path it takes the wind out of any complaints. After all how can you complain when you haven’t paid?
Well quite easily actually.
So go to Towcester – if it’s a nice day you can enjoy it. If the forecast is rain forget it. If the weather is changeable do as I do today. Watch the first two races and when it starts raining, goes home and enjoy it on Channel 415.
Note I am speaking in the past tense, sadly it is now one of my least favourite.
It's a course where people cannot even agree how it is pronounced, John Francome in his Salisbury burr pronounces it Tow-kester with the Tow rhyming with Cow. Others, including locals, pronounce it Toaster. Whicever way it is said it is spelt Towcester.
Set in a natural amphitheatre it offers great viewing. It used to have a lovely old grandstand, a bit rustic, but it had a roof and offered excellent viewing under shelter.
Unfortunately the stand was too rustic and the local council decided it needed to be demolished. It was a shame, however the course executive announced they would have a consultation with racegoers, so everything looked promising.
I’m not sure who they spoke to. Looking at the new stand it is apparent the ‘normal racegoer was not consulted. The top floor is dedicated to corporate boxed. The first floor to a restaurant. The public are offered tiered viewing, which, in the courses defence, does offer good viewing. However there is one thing missing and that is cover. If it rains the regular punter gets wet.
Today it rained at Towcester – if you wanted to watch the racing you get wet. If you want to shelter the area inside the stands is crushed beyond comfort or you can shelter in a tent.
Frankly Towcester have cocked up. How can you build a multi million pound stand and not provide any cover for punters when it rains?
Towcester have been very crafty – they have dropped any admission charges at most meetings. Yippee it’s free!! I thought this was a good altruistic move when it was first announced.
Now I have my doubts.
I think Towcester know they have cocked up with the new stand. By going down the free admission path it takes the wind out of any complaints. After all how can you complain when you haven’t paid?
Well quite easily actually.
So go to Towcester – if it’s a nice day you can enjoy it. If the forecast is rain forget it. If the weather is changeable do as I do today. Watch the first two races and when it starts raining, goes home and enjoy it on Channel 415.
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