ITV Racing at the Cheltenham Festival 2024
ITV Racing to show five races a day with twenty hours of broadcast across the week.
Special features include a unique four-part interview with legendary jockey, Richard Dunwoody, in conversation with Sir Anthony McCoy, filmed at Cheltenham.
On air ITV Racing Live: The Cheltenham Festival 1-4.30pm on ITV1 / ITVX and STV The Opening Show 8.30-10am on ITV4 / ITVX and STV.
Presented by Ed Chamberlin, viewers get the best seat in the house to see all their favourite equine stars at jump racing’s most famous Festival.
“The 100th year of the Boodles’ Gold Cup makes this year’s Cheltenham extra special. We’ll look back at all the great winners and are set for a brilliant renewal as defending Champion Galopin des Champs faces challenges aplenty from the talented Fastorslow, the 800 euro King George winner, Hewick, and the home team’s enigmatic Shiskin.” Ed Chamberlin, ITV presenter
“The race I am most looking forward to this year is the Queen Mother Champion Chase on Wednesday. It was set up to be a rematch between El Fabiolo and Jonbon, but after his performance at Newbury and the way he went there, Edwardstone has now thrown his hat into the ring and added a whole new dynamic.” Ruby Walsh, ITV pundit
Ed will be joined daily by 20-time champion jump jockey, Sir Anthony McCoy, and the Festival’s winning-most rider, Ruby Walsh, who will offer his unique and state-of-the-art race analysis of all the best action. Mick Fitzgerald and Luke Harvey will be with the team all week as will Megan Nicholls and Alice Plunkett to offer their expert opinions on every race and the horses in the parade ring.
Rishi Persad and Matt Chapman will be out and about on the course talking to connections. Brian Gleeson will be in the thick of the action in the betting ring and Oli Bell will interact with viewers at home in the popular Social Stable. Richard Hoiles will be in the commentary box, with Kevin Blake and Brough Scott offering their unique views on stories unfolding throughout the week.
Across the week, the Bafta and Broadcast award-winning production and technical team will have cameras covering every aspect, including a wire-cam across the parade ring, trackers and a drone out on course and AR graphics that enhance what appears on screen.
The Opening Show, presented by Oli Bell will be on every day from 8.30 am - 10.00 am on ITV4 and ITVX. It will provide viewers with a full preview of each day's races and capture more of the morning action as the Irish battalions exercise out on track at Prestbury Park. Oli will be joined daily by Matt Chapman, Sally Ann Grassick and Kevin Blake. Sir Anthony McCoy, Ruby Walsh, Megan Nicholls, Mick Fitzgerald, Rishi Persad and Luke Harvey will also join the team across the week.
Every day there will also be a free-to-enter ITV7 competition with total jackpot prizes of over £1 million across the week.
Daily Highlights
Tuesday 12 March
The Unibet Champion Hurdle is the feature on the first day and all eyes will be on the re-match between the English Nicky Henderson-trained, Constitution Hill (if he makes it!) and the Irish Willie Mullins-trained State Man.
Wednesday 13 March
The Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase looks to be one of the best races of the week as El Fabiolo, unbeaten over fences, takes on Jonbon and Edwardstone, both highly talented but with questions to answer.
Thursday 14 March
The Paddy Power Stayers Hurdle will see the hugely popular Paisley Park return to the Festival again for a remarkable seventh time. Also, in the race is likely to be the 2022 Grand National winner, Noble Yeats, last year’s winner, Sire de Berlais and Irish favourite, Teahupoo.
Friday 15 March
The Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup sees the 100th running of the historic race and takes centre stage again this week. There is a whole host of stars including last year’s winner, Galopin des Champs, another Irish superstar in Fastorslow, the 800 Euro purchase and King George winner, Hewick. The home team also have a strong hand including the Nicky Henderson-trained Shishkin, and Paul Nicholls’ runner-up in 2023, Bravemansgame.