TV cameras put focus on Doncaster

Since the grand opening from Cheltenham on January 1 following the move from Channel 4, the sport has been broadcast every Saturday on ITV4.

However, ITV has taken advantage of the chance to return to the main channel this weekend, bringing the number of days on ITV1 from an original 34 to 42 out of around 100 planned for 2017.

The live broadcast will be staged from Doncaster and fronted by Ed Chamberlin and features the Grimthorpe Chase, a recognised trial for the Grand National due to feature last year’s Aintree runner-up The Last Samuri and Brian Ellison’s Castleford Chase contender Definitly Red.

Four races will be broadcast from Town Moor – and a further three from Newbury.

Despite initial misgivings, ITV’s racing coverage has been a breath of fresh air because of its emphasis on the great human and equine stories rather than betting promotions and form analysis that led to Channel 4 haemhorraging viewers when it became the sole terrestrial broadcaster in 2013.

“It was just an opportunity that came up enabling us to do it, so that’s good. We’ve now got 42 days on the main channel,” said Grant Cunningham, ITV’s head of publicity, factual and sport.

“When we originally announced the deal we said we would have a minimum of 34 days on the main channel. That number has grown a bit which I think is welcomed by everyone and a meeting at Doncaster is not to be sniffed at.”

The main ITV channel is committed to encompassing the big meetings, including the Grand National, the 2000 and 1000 Guineas, Derby, Oaks and St Leger, plus all the major festivals including Cheltenham and Royal Ascot and Champions’ Day.

In addition, ITV4’s racing coverage will see a reintroduction of free-to-air broadcasts of the Craven meeting at Newmarket in April.

Gordon Elliott has played down his chances of winning a second Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup next month.

Victorious 12 months ago with the now retired Don Cossack, Ireland’s leading trainer is due to saddle the doughty stayer Don Poli and Outlander, winner of Leopardstown’s Grade One Lexus Chase last December, in the showpiece race.

Part of a 30-strong team heading to the Cotswolds from the trainer’s County Meath base, Elliott accepts the pair have a tough task against Colin Tizzard’s stablemates Cue Card and Native River.

“Don Poli has already had a chance to win the Gold Cup. He is definitely in good form and his last two runs have been good,” said the trainer.

“Outlander is the one who looks a bit unexposed. It will be his first time over the trip but the way he will be ridden will suit because we will drop in and take our time. To be honest, they are not Don Cossack. He won a Gold Cup by nearly five lengths.

“I think skipping the Irish Gold Cup with Outlander was the right move. We thought it was the right thing to do that with a view to Cheltenham and Punchestown, as he has had three runs already this season.

“There is not a lot between the Irish horses in my opinion. I think Outlander and Djakadam (trained by Willie Mullins and the mount of Ruby Walsh) are the pick of the Irish horses for the Gold Cup as they are going there fresh.”

As revealed at the weekend, Elliott confirmed Tombstone, the recent conqueror of former two-mile king Jezki, was in line to be added to the field for the Stan James Champion Hurdle.

“He’s not supplemented yet, but if he works all right at the weekend, the plan is we’ll probably run him in the Champion Hurdle,” he said. “It’s a very good race, but it’s probably an open enough race. We’ve never had a runner in the Champion Hurdle, so I don’t know what it takes to win one, but why not have a go? He’s in good nick.”

Trainer Sue Smith and jockey Danny Cook’s fine recent run continued when Nomoreblackjack and Delusionofgrandeur both prevailed at Catterick, taking their tally of winners to four in four days.