A chip off the old O'Hehir block

THE art of spots commentating - and, in particular, racing, where every barstool pundit is an expert - is difficult to master. But the evidence from Saturday's first Irish classic of the season from the Curragh showed, again, that RTE has cracked one of broadcasting's hardest nuts.

And, in the sport of kings, where megabucks are invariably the currency, the romance of it all was, brought home to television viewers with some typical wit from analyst Ted Walsh.

Matiya, bought for the meagre sum of 32,000 guineas we were informed, was "within many a man's range" according to Walsh, after Willie Carson had steered the filly to the 1,000 Guineas.

"Anyone interested in buying a good flat horse, if he hasn't 32,000 to spend, `tis bicycles he should be trying to buy," said Walsh.

Walsh's wit, indeed, can be invaluable. When the clatter of tea cups intervened for a millisecond, it led to a verbal sparring session with cohort Robert Hall. "If you heard the cups, it was just Robert doing the tidying up.

"Yes, I'm the one who always gets stuck with that job."

"That's because you're always wearing an apron."

With such a serious job at hand - ie, the 1,000 Guineas - such banter works a treat. And, in Tony O'Hehir, RTE surely possess the master of racing commentators. Surefooted. Articulate, with just the right nuances.

At one stage Hall made the point that the English and French would love to have the Irish classic dates. One suspects, one or two of the cross-water stations would also love to capture O'Hehir into the bargain.