ITV are set to broadcast six live races a day at Cheltenham Festival as a one-off this year.
With it looking ever likelier that the sport’s greatest meeting will be staged behind closed doors, rights manager Racecourse Media Group has given ITV one-off permission to extend its output beyond the five daily races in its contract.
As a result of the change, and in order to allow ITV to fit six races within the programme that runs from 1pm to 4.30pm, the gap between races is to be reduced to 35 minutes from 40 minutes. The opening contest each afternoon is also being brought forward to a new provisional time of 1.20pm, meaning each card’s showpiece event will be run at 3.05pm.
Jockey Club regional managing director Ian Renton said: “We’re really grateful to RMG and ITV for enabling all those who will be enjoying the festival from home to enjoy a sixth race in this one year.”
The Cheltenham Festival will take place between 16th -19th March 2021.
Local charity Wellchild are the sponsors of this year’s Cheltenham Gold Cup.
Photo Credit: ITV