Holt: disrespectful ITV kept me hanging on the line

Channel 4's racing commentator Simon Holt has claimed the panel that interviewed him for the job at ITV showed only "rudimentary" knowledge of horseracing as he criticised the length of time it took to learn he was out of the running.

Holt, the voice of Channel 4 Racing since 2000, had hoped to find a position on the ITV team which takes over exclusive terrestrial coverage of the sport next year, even if it meant accepting a lesser role as understudy to the main commentator, who is widely expected to be Richard Hoiles.

In his column for the Racing Post Weekender, published today, Holt reveals he was interviewed in March this year but was kept waiting until last week, when he was told he would not be offered one of the two vacant commentating positions.