ITV Racing is preparing for comprehensive coverage of the Aintree Festival, culminating in the Grand National on Saturday, April 5th. The network will broadcast five races daily throughout the three-day event, with an expanded show planned for Grand National Day.
Here’s the Lowdown: Ed Chamberlin will lead ITV’s BAFTA-winning team, which includes expert insights from legendary jockeys Sir Anthony McCoy, Ruby Walsh, and Alice Plunkett. Former Olympian Sam Quek joins the team, though she’s quick to clarify she’s not replacing the core analysts. Oli Bell will handle viewer interaction and statistical analysis from the ‘social stable,’ while Richard Hoiles, Mark Johnson, and Stewart Machin provide commentary.
What This Means Now: Viewers can anticipate in-depth coverage of the races, expert analysis, and interactive elements. On Saturday, Ruby Walsh and Oli Bell will provide a detailed, fence-by-fence breakdown of the Grand National, explaining how the race unfolded. The Opening Show, a morning preview program, will air on ITV4 each day and on ITV1 on Saturday.
The Bigger Picture: ITV’s commitment to horse racing is part of a three-year deal extending through 2026, guaranteeing over 100 days of live coverage annually across ITV1, ITV4, and ITVX. This deal continues a successful partnership that began in 2017, marked by significant viewership increases, particularly for major events like the Cheltenham Festival. ITV is keen to strengthen the collaboration.
