ITV Racing is set to return after a two-month absence due to the coronavirus pandemic with three days of top class action at Newmarket, Lingfield Park, Newcastle and Haydock Park from 5-7 June.
In what will be the channel’s first live racing coverage since a behind-closed-doors fixture at Ireland’s Thurles racecourse on 21 March, ITV plans to show seven races across the three days, including three Group 1 races – Coronation Cup and Qipco 2000 and 1000 Guineas.
The ITV Racing presentation team will be based in their homes for all three days, as will the direction and production team behind the shows, using innovative technology and adhering to social distancing guidelines.
All three days of live racing will be presented by Ed Chamberlin and Francesca Cumani, with expert analysis provided by Jason Weaver, while Richard Hoiles will be based off site in a commentary booth.
In addition, ITV’s weekly horse racing magazine programme ‘The Opening Show’ also returns on Saturday, 6 June at 9.30am on ITV4, presented from home by Oli Bell, and he will be joined on the first show back since March ITV Racing regulars Matt Chapman, Jason Weaver and Richard Hoiles.
Live coverage across all three days from 5-7 June will start at 1.30pm, with Friday’s coverage on ITV4 and Saturday and Sunday’s action on ITV and STV.
Each day will feature four races from Newmarket with the feature races off at 3.35pm. Friday’s action includes the Group 1 Coronation Cup, revised from Epsom, plus three race from Lingfield Park, including the Oaks and Derby Trials.
Saturday sees the first Classic of the season, the Qipco 2000 Guineas, at Newmarket, as well as three races from Newcastle, including the Sagaro Stakes, then on Sunday, the Qipco 1000 Guineas will take place, plus there is three races from Haydock Park, including the Brigadier Gerard Stakes, re-routed from Sandown.
Commenting on the return of ITV’s live horse racing coverage, presenter Ed Chamberlin told the Daily Mail:
“I feel more responsibility doing this than anything I have done in television. For instance, Daily Mail football fans are going to be tuning into live sport thinking ‘why the hell is this happening? We’ll explain how. How we are broadcasting safely and remotely will also be an important message.
“It is a huge opportunity. The priority will be to be sensitive,. We are fully aware people well be watching who have been suffering and have lost loved ones and we have to give our thanks to the people working on the front line.
“But we also got to be conscious that sport can be such a force for good. Racing has the opportunity to do that and bring a bit of joy to peoples’ lives.”
Beyond 7 June, ITV will broadcast live coverage of all five days of Royal Ascot, with the prestigious meeting scheduled to take place behind closed doors from 16-20 June.
In this unprecedented year, several alterations to the race programme have been announced, including six extra races being added to the meeting.
Race two onwards from Tuesday to Friday and race three onwards on Saturday will be shown live on ITV, while all 36 races of the Royal meeting will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Racing.
For a full list of all forthcoming major live horse racing events on the box, visit SOTB’s dedicated racing TV listings page.
All of ITV Racing’s coverage will be available to watch live and on-demand via the ITV Hub.
Full schedule details and ITV race cards can be found below.
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FRIDAY 5th JUNE
ITV Racing: Newmarket & Lingfield Park
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SATURDAY 6th JUNE
The Opening Show
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ITV Racing: Newmarket & Newcastle
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SUNDAY 7th JUNE
ITV Racing: Newmarket & Haydock Park
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