'There's no point being on the TV if you can't stick your neck on the line'
David Jennings chats to the jockey-turned-pundit about his new career
It was back in March, when analysing the first division of a 45-75 handicap at Navan for Racing TV, when Fran Berry said what we were all thinking. All Class had form figures that resembled a naughty late night hotline yet was backed from an overnight price of 66-1 into 9-2.
"We hadn't seen anything of note from her. She's had 12 runs and she's never been placed on any occasion that I can see, but the market duly spoke in her favour. She's improved for the application of cash."
Just as All Class improved for the application of cash, Berry has improved for the application of a microphone. That is not to say he wasn't a very good jockey – you could count on one hand those who have won a Group 1 on the Flat and a race at the Cheltenham Festival – but since retiring from race-riding in April of 2019 he has managed to win over the sport's most contrary crowd of critics. He is now, officially, a popular pundit. There aren't too many of those around.
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Copy- 'It's tough financially and last year I said I might get a job driving a lorry instead - although to be fair I'd probably crash!'
- 'I'm not here to tell people how to train but if you hide something from me, I'm gone, I'm done - and you won't see me again'
- 'I had to fly back from Saudi on the day for the awards before flying back the following day but it really was a great evening'
- 'The lads often give out to me for saying what I say - but if I didn't say what I thought I wouldn't be being true to myself'
- 'All anyone wants is a pat on the back and these awards show you mean something to the yard and the people there. It's brilliant'
- 'It's tough financially and last year I said I might get a job driving a lorry instead - although to be fair I'd probably crash!'
- 'I'm not here to tell people how to train but if you hide something from me, I'm gone, I'm done - and you won't see me again'
- 'I had to fly back from Saudi on the day for the awards before flying back the following day but it really was a great evening'
- 'The lads often give out to me for saying what I say - but if I didn't say what I thought I wouldn't be being true to myself'
- 'All anyone wants is a pat on the back and these awards show you mean something to the yard and the people there. It's brilliant'