It's time to cast your vote and pick the best racing commentary of 2024

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Voting starts now on our Commentary of the Year Award 2024, the winner to be determined by you, dear readers of the Front Runner. Thanks for all your nominations over the past week, which we've narrowed down to five possible winners - choose your favourite and vote through the link at the bottom of this page.

Here's a quick canter through your options, presented in the order in which they happened. Of all the commentaries you suggested, these are the ones for which we felt the most convincing cases could be made. 

David Fitzgerald Coral Welsh National December 27

A race from the very end of 2023, but it qualifies because it happened days after we named our last Commentary of the Year. Fitzgerald was nominated by Dr Lyn Griffiths, who wrote: "His persistently accurate and rapid identification of the runners in atrocious conditions, when all colours were virtually identical within half a circuit, was incredible.

"Throughout the race, his ability to race-read and keep the viewer informed and excited was outstanding. After almost a year, I vividly recall the commentary with huge admiration."

This was a 19-runner handicap, the biggest field of any of our nominated races, and Fitzgerald made a point of mentioning them all. From an early stage, he was flagging up which horses were making forward moves and which had lost their positions.

By the second circuit, as Dr Griffiths noted, two-thirds of the field appeared to have been hosed with mud. When the camera was looking at them from the front, you wouldn't know who was who - but Fitzgerald did and he told the story well. He even managed to maintain the drama up the length of the final straight, Nassalam having bolted into an uncatchable lead three from home.

Tony Ennis BetGoodwin Sussex Stayers Handicap Hurdle January 7

This was the race in which Joe Anderson, then claiming 5lb, was out of the saddle and lying across his mount's neck after Transmission made a mistake at halfway. "Is it a great recovery? I think it is," Ennis called as Anderson wrestled his way back into the plate.

"Wow," added the commentator. "How has he stayed on that horse? That is as good a recovery as you'll see."

What made the race especially memorable was that Transmission somehow went on to win, despite what had looked like a race-ending blunder and despite Anderson having to clear the next four obstacles with his feet out of the stirrups.

Transmission: won the Sussex StayersCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

It was the perfect combination of a great story and excellent narration, Ennis detailing Anderson's athletics and conveying just the right amount of astonishment and appreciation, while still finding time to relate what was happening with the other runners.

"Ride of the month, ride of the season! That was marvellous," he called as Transmission crossed the line. Despite being 11 months ago, this was easily the most-nominated race from all your emails last week.

John Hunt Home-Start Bracknell Forest Veterans' Handicap Chase March 24

"John’s commentary that day was superb," Emma Blackburn wrote to tell us. "Comments like 'They’ve been together like old friends,' when Sam Brown and Two For Gold were duelling down the back straight, and 'These veterans are loving their day in the sun,' really set the scene of what was a fantastic race. 

"He captured how exciting it is to see these veterans at the top of their game, and how important they are to the sport."

Hunt's deep knowledge of the sport and his affection for some familiar horses shine through in this commentary, elevating what might have been an ordinary contest into something much more memorable.

Richard Hoiles Qipco 2,000 Guineas May 4

"City Of Troy beseiged on all sides," was a line to smile at as Hoiles noted the hot favourite for this Guineas was in deep trouble. As on so many other occasions, ITV's main commentator rose to the occasion, pointing to all the storylines as they emerged.

"From the all-weather to Guineas glory," was how he hailed Notable Speech at the line. The winner was a 16-1 shot but Hoiles immediately put his finger on what would become a talking point in the aftermath. "The all-weather has changed the dynamic of racing in this country since its advent over 25 years ago and seldom has had a bigger impact than here...

William Buick and Notable Speech: 2,000 Guineas winnersCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

"How rare is it for a horse not to have actually seen a racecourse at two and win the Guineas?" he asked as the runners eased down. It was masterful stuff from a commentator whose work is informed by long experience and much preparation.

Jerry Hannon Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes September 14

Here he is, the man who has won Commentary of the Year both years we've organised the award. Hannon's excellence and popularity meant he had a few commentaries nominated by his fans among Front Runner readers last week but this was a popular and especially memorable one.

"He built to a thrilling crescendo in what was a very exciting race," wrote Stephen Hindle. "I also thought the line 'Economics hits the big time' after the horses had passed the post summed up the occasion very well."

With Auguste Rodin, Shin Emperor and Los Angeles among the beaten runners, this was a high-powered affair, comfortably handled by Ireland's chief commentator. 

He gave the winner a full-throated roar across the line, which seemed absolutely the right way to acknowledge a promising horse's first Group 1 success and followed a gradual ratcheting up of vocal power during the stretch run.

So there you are, five strong contenders. Which deserves to be called Commentary of the Year? Click here to cast your vote.

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The Front Runner is our unmissable email newsletter available exclusively to Members' Club Ultimate subscribers. Chris Cook, the reigning Racing Writer of the Year, provides his take on the day's biggest stories and tips for the upcoming racing every morning from Monday to Friday. Not a Members' Club Ultimate subscriber? Click here to join today and also receive our Ultimate Daily emails plus our full range of fantastic website and newspaper content.