One of racing’s most popular TV presenters has died after a short illness. Alastair Down, 68, was the face of Channel 4 Racing for many years as well as an award-winning writer as a journalist for the Racing Post and Sporting Life. The news was announced just seven days after Down had attended a ceremony at his beloved Cheltenham racecourse where the Press Room was renamed in honour of him. To mark the occasion Cheltenham also named one of its races on the opening card of the new jumps season