I think I'm pretty much done on here, other than to reply to any @s and PMs and to keep checking up on Horsevault's archive (unrealistic to expect him/her to port such a large resource to somewhere else). Normal service is being resumed, by and by, at:

The excellent Robin Carmody, responsible for so much of the best work on commentator research, suggested to me the practice ceased in spring '95 before that November's Racing Channel launch; though if anyone can nail it down that’d likely be much appreciated by us both. Ta! (4/4)

John confirmed that was his first SIS booking in a YouTube interview with Simon Nott not so long ago, detailing how he’d even done a full recce to the course and back the day before. (3/)

I’m thinking it must have started in early May 1992. That does appear to have been when both John Hunt (Salisbury 06/05/92; Racetech booking unknown) and Richard Hoiles (Bath 09/05/92; Bruce Friend-James did Racetech) made their respective first ever racecourse commentaries. (2/)

Quick question to the floor, please. Would anybody happen to know the precise dates between which there were two separate commentary feeds directly from the racecourse – one from the Racetech-booked commentator and one from the commentator for SIS/Sky/whosoever else? TIA. (1/)

Derek Thompson's Xmas Day announcement that he's retiring from racecourse commentary after 2025 frees up 45 to 50 slots from 2026, judged on my study of this year's allocations. Does opportunity knock for a new roster addition?

I have no words…… except to say that whatever force brought these two wonderful eccentrics together proves there’s still some silly loveliness in the world 😀💛

For those still missing Mavis Mason as much as we are, I'll be updating the @daily_mave feed for the next 24 days. Consider it an advent calendar featuring our cat of a lifetime.

A beautiful tribute to Alastair Down from his colleague and friend, @AlicePlunkett ❤️

It is so moving to hear and read the tributes to Alistair Down. He may be gone but Alistair will never be forgotten #AlistairDown #HorseRacing #journalist

My cartoon in the Spectator ⁦@spectator⁩

This match, @norcrosscricket , @bbctms ? https://t.co/tGkMxcmMAc

God bless this woman. She knows what community is all about. ❤️ https://t.co/33GP0lQf1j

The Nasir Mosque in Hartlepool that was attacked yesterday: - last year gave >£25,000 to the Royal British Legion through sale of poppies - cooked >25,000 meals for people in Hartlepool who were hungry - celebrated the Queen’s Jubilee with a Garden Party From @corganisers

Line of the day from Richard Hoiles on @itvracing as he spots dopey Lettuce Liz Truss at Goodwood.

Quick question of you good folk at @RacingTV , please. I notice most race replays from 2011 until late April 2012 have vanished sometime in the recent past. Are there plans to reinstate them, and if not, are further months' or years' worth of replays earmarked for removal? TIA.

I hope his victory speech included a quick rendition of Mule Train. #iykyk

Actually, its only a Portillo Moment if it comes from the Portilleux region in France otherwise its just sparkling seat loss

A more durable individual than the one-time Grand National favourite who took his name. Rest easy, Joss. https://t.co/TijazHfN72

For me, this track has increasingly come to serve as something of an official soundtrack to a year of elections and political flux.  A real late-career highlight, too. https://t.co/Qa2erZS496