New channel 4 racing team

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CLARE BALDING and Nick Luck will head Channel 4's new-look racing coverage from next year, while John McCririck, Derek Thompson, John Francome, Mike Cattermole and Racing Post writer Alastair Down will no longer feature.

Graham Cunningham, a regular on Racing UK, and At The Races presenter Gina Bryce have been added to the team, which will also include Rishi Persad, Alice Plunkett, Emma Spencer, Jim McGrath, Tanya Stevenson and Mick Fitzgerald along with commentators Simon Holt and Richard Hoiles.

Channel 4 outbid the BBC earlier this year for exclusive broadcasting rights to British racing for the next four years from January 1, 2013, while IMG Sports Media was chosen to replace C4's previous production partner Highflyer for the new contract.

Since then, the make-up of the C4 racing team has been a hot topic with the recruitment of Balding, who had been main anchor for the BBC coverage, the only news on the presenting line-up that had already been revealed.

Familiar faces such as Alastair Down and Mike Cattermole, who have co-hosted the bulk of the jumps season and Flat season respectively for the past two years, have been dropped to make way for fresh faces.

Luck will also continue as the main presenter of Channel 4's Morning Line programme, with Plunkett acting as an alternative presenter when required.

Jamie Aitchison, Channel 4's sports editor, said: "Being the new home of horseracing is a real privilege and I'm delighted to announce this carefully selected team of presenters and reporters. I'm hugely excited about the future of racing on Channel 4 and greatly look forward to 2013.

"I would like to thank all of the presenting team for their commitment and enthusiasm to Channel 4 and the racing coverage over the years."

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John Francome will succeed Lord Oaksey as president of the Injured Jockeys Fund.

Oaksey, who founded the organisation in 1964, passed away earlier this year but he has left a lasting legacy.

Former champion jockey Francome, who ruled himself out of the running to be part of the new Channel 4 Racing team, has spoken of his "honour" at being selected for the role.

"I am very honoured to take on this role especially following in the footsteps of John Oaksey," he said.

"I hope I can do it justice and carry on the great and essential work the Fund does. Although unlike the indomitable Lord Oaksey, I shan't be standing out in the cold selling Christmas cards!"

Brough Scott, chairman of the organisation, added: "John is not just a famous name.

"I've always been struck by how often he's done things for other jockeys in ways that usually go unreported.

"I couldn't be more thrilled that he is becoming president and I know Lord Oaksey would too.

"John is still worshipped by current jockeys and connects us to the future".

The IJF is approaching is 50th anniversary and has raised nearly £20million to assist over 1,000 individuals.

Oaksey House, a rehabilitation centre for injured jockeys, was opened by HRH Princess Royal in 2009 in Lambourn and a second facility, Jack Berry House, is well on the way to being built.