To a non racing fan such as myself he was the face of racing for many many years. A legend.

RIP.

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Fixed odds Bender

Pro USA & Israel

I actually interviewed the man for a racing magazine back in 2001 - he was vile and I am in full agreement with you pretty much. However, his betting stuff live from the ring was a first and he did that well - he was ego and bluster but he got things going with his energy, people bought it, he was more ridiculous than offensive, a lot of it was a wind up but he made a right t*t of himself on Question Time, I think even Donald Trump would have disowned him on that performance.

his agent phoned the magazine I was on (for a brief window of dream-living before returning to the coal face) - for an interview - his first words: "Who's this, what's this for? come on lets get it over with" - doesn't sound much just very rude and condescending - there was one pause where I was trying to think what words to use, a tssk, when I pleasantly thanked him at the end he sighs and hangs up. Classic case of someone who thinks they're important also thinks they're entitled to be rude. To his credit he did carry the program he was on at times and was good to listen when he stuck to sport, used to be on Goldstein and Cundy a lot and though I obviously couldn't drum up much liking having been fairly insulted by him through gritted teeth I must admit I enjoyed what he had to say. He could get a lively discussion going and generate laughs, though he wasn't particularly funny or witty himself, I did not like his journalism, boring, and his politics were way OTT. He was a good racing man, but he got all his breaks from the old boy's network, there are much more interesting sports hacks slumming it on football fan forum sites apparently. If I can scan and attach the article I did I'll stick it up - but don't hold your breath.

[Link]

Excellent article from a great journalist who knew him well. It was all an act and those who worked closely with him loved him.

Wow! Enjoyed that more than the article! Wasn’t championing Alastair Down’s character but he does write well (in my opinion) and is well respected for his thoughts. I remember when Mick Easterby called Alastair a cnut on live tv and he probably wasn’t too wide of the mark. Francome is a very decent man who does a huge amount for charity especially the injured jockey’s fund. How he “gets off” is really his business. Have always rated Alice Plunkett as a person and a journalist who seems to have hated him and loved him in equal measure. Complicated character who wasn’t really my cup of tea but he had his time and he was good for racing. Dettori is another personality who is good for racing but an arrogant arse in real life. The ITV bunch seem like less of an aloof bunch than the channel 4 stalwarts.