Watch the Grand National this Saturday (11 April 2026) and join the massive global audience to enjoy this major event in the racing calendar.

The Grand National has been running officially since 1839 and this year there are 34 Grand National runners and riders gearing up for their chance to write their names in the history books. You can download our Grand National sweepstake kit to add another element of excitement to your day.

At a glance

• Grand National date: Saturday 11 April 2026
• Watch Grand National on TV: ITV (UK, FREE) and Racing TV
• Watch Grand National from anywhere: Use this NordVPN deal – 75% Off

How to watch the Grand National on TV

ITV will screen most of the action live and for free on ITV1 and ITVX, while Racing TV (Sky channel 424/Virgin Media 536) will broadcast via its subscription-based service.

You don’t need an ITVX subscription to watch live racing – just an email address and a valid TV license. You can register for a free account or download the app to your mobile device.

If you’re away from home, you can use NordVPN to unlock your ITVX stream of the Grand National action from anywhere in the world.

Free ITV coverage

ITV Racing will broadcast live from Aintree racecourse on 11 April from 12:45–5pm. You can watch on TV or online via ITVX.

Five of the seven races, including the Grand National, will be broadcast live on ITV1 (and can be streamed on ITVX). The first (12:45pm) and final race (5pm) of the day will not be available on ITV.

Whos presenting ITV Racing Grand National coverage?

The ITV racing coverage will, once again, be hosted by Ed Chamberlin, who has been the ITV Racing presenter since 2017. Richard Hoiles will be the lead commentator and will be supported by Mark Johnson and Stewart Machin.

Analysis will be provided by Sir AP McCoy, Mick Fitzgerald and Rachael Blackmore. Alice Plunkett will be reporting from the course, Brian Gleeson on betting, Matt Chapman in the paddock and Luke Harvey at the start. Sam Quek will also be on your screens as part of the team.

Oli Bell will be presenting The Opening Show.

What time is the Grand National?

The Grand National will start at 4pm on Saturday 11 April 2026. The first race of the day is 12:45pm.

Full Grand National day race schedule

• 12:45pm | The Hallgarten and Novum Wines Maghull Novices’ Steeple Chase
• 1.20pm | The William Hill Handicap Hurdle Race
• 1.55pm | The Turners Mersey Novices’ Hurdle Race
• 2.30pm | The William Hill Handicap Steeple Chase
• 3.05pm | The Jet2 Liverpool Hurdle Race
• 4pm | The Randox Grand National Handicap Steeple Chase
• 5pm | The Weatherbys nhstallions.co.uk Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race

How to watch first and last race of the day

ITV will not broadcast the first or final races on Grand National Day, so you’ll need to switch over to Racing TV for this coverage.

How to watch the Grand National from anywhere

If you’re away from home and your normal ITVX coverage is geo-blocked, a VPN will get you your usual coverage from anywhere in the world.

There are many VPN providers out there, with some more reliable and safe than others. We’d suggest using a paid-for service such as NordVPN, where you can get an exclusive 75% off, which offers a 100% risk-free money back guarantee. If you’re not happy with the service any time within the first 30-days, then you can cancel with no penalties at all.

What distance is the Grand National?

The Grand National is 4m 2½ furlongs, which equates to 6.94km.

How long does the Grand National last?

This is really dependent on the raceday conditions, but you can expect it to be complete in around 10–12 minutes. The average winning time is 9min 10sec, but there have been variations of the course and fence heights over the years.

The fastest time ever was 8min 47.8sec recorded by Mr Frisk in 1990, while the slowest time was the first ever running of the race in 1839, when Lottery took 14min 53sec to be the first across the line.

How many fences are in the Grand National?

The Grand National requires horses to jump a total of 30 fences over two laps of the Aintree course. There are 16 individual fences, but only only 14 are jumped on the second circuit – The Chair (15) and The Water Jump (16) are omitted.

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news at major events throughout the year, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

You may also be interested in:

Grand National tips from racing gurus, including a mare who ticks all the boxes and a 50/1 fancy

Grand National runners, riders and complete form guide for 2026, including a former winner ruled out on Thursday morning

Rachael Blackmore named Aintree legend as she takes on new Grand National challenge

Grand National 2026 sweepstake kit to download and print for free

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

We recommend VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example:

• Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service)
• Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad

We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing. 

Rachael Blackmore will join the ITV Racing presenting team at Aintree for its coverage of the Randox Grand National on Saturday (11 April).

Rachael, who won the 2021 race aboard Minella Times, will join fellow Grand National-winning jockeys Sir AP McCoy, Ruby Walsh and Mick Fitzgerald on the presenting team this year.

She said she is looking forward to joining the line-up, adding: “It is one of the most iconic races and transcends our sport, capturing the attention of millions all around the world.

“This year will be a completely different experience for me, not going into the weighing room, but I’m excited for the challenge.”

ITV Racing editor Paul Cooper said Rachael is “an icon in racing, as both a top-class jockey and now an ambassador for the sport”.

“We are really looking forward to having her with us on Randox Grand National day,” he said.

The 36-year-old, who retired from race-riding in 2025, was also inducted as a Grand National legend on the opening day of the 2026 festival today (9 April).

Her plaque will be attached to the wall of Blackmore’s, a new alcohol-free bar at Aintree, which she also opened today.

“Aintree is such an incredibly special place,” she said. “I was so lucky to have an amazing day here in 2021, and I absolutely love coming back. I love Liverpool – I love the city, I love the people, and it’s just a fantastic place.

“When I see the list of names – including equine athletes – on the Grand National legends roll of honour, it’s so special to be part of that and a great honour. And to see this beautiful bar opened – I never thought there’d be a racecourse bar named after me! It’s a very special thing. It does hit home how lucky I am.

“I think it is a brilliant initiative to have an alcohol-free space; it’s a really cool place, there’s something else on offer. I don’t drink myself, so I’d better be able to get a free hot chocolate in a minute!”

Aintree racecourse chair Julian Taylor said it is “an enormous privilege” to induct Rachael as an Aintree legend and that her great moment in 2021 is “one that none of us will ever forget”.

“You are a sporting icon, not just here at Aintree but globally, and you are also a lovely human being. Many congratulations to you,” he said.

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news from major shows throughout the year, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

You may also be interested in:

‘You need to be 110% and he’s not’: 2025 Grand National winner ruled out of this year’s race

Grand National runners, riders and complete form guide for 2026, including a former winner ruled out on Thursday morning

Grand National 2026 sweepstake kit to download and print for free

‘We’re delighted to bring loyal readers this benefit’: H&H magazine subscribers get free website access

Watch the Dubai World Cup on TV and celebrate the event’s 30th anniversary with other racing fans across the world.

It’s one of the richest horse races in the world, and we’ll reveal the runners and how you can watch the spectacle from wherever you are right now.

At a glance

• Dubai World Cup date: 28 March 2026
• TV coverage: ITVX
• Watch Dubai World Cup from anywhere: Use this NordVPN deal (77% off)

How to watch the Dubai World Cup for free

ITV Racing has jumped back into the ring for the Dubai World Cup in 2026 and will be broadcasting coverage from Meydan.

Fans in the UK can watch it on the ITV4 channel or via the ITVX broadcasting platform, which is completely free providing you have a valid TV license.

How to watch the Dubai World Cup live from anywhere

If you’re away from home and your normal coverage is geo-blocked, a VPN will get you your usual coverage from anywhere in the world.

There are many VPN providers out there, with some more reliable and safe than others. We’d suggest using a paid-for service such as NordVPN, where you can get an exclusive 77% off, which offers a 100% risk-free money back guarantee. If you’re not happy with the service any time within the first 30-days, then you can cancel with no penalties at all.

What time does the Dubai World Cup start?

There are nine races across the day. The first race starts at 11:45am GMT (3:45pm local time), and the last race (the Dubai World Cup) sets off at 4:45pm GMT (8:45pm local time).

What is the Dubai World Cup?

The Dubai World Cup is a thoroughbred horse race that has been held annually at Meydan Racecourse in UAE since 1996. It is a Group One Flat race on dirt over a distance of 2,000 metres (about 10 furlongs).

It is open for northern hemisphere thoroughbreds aged four years old and over, and southern hemisphere horses three years old and over. The total prize money on offer is $30.5m (£22.84m).

Dubai World Cup runners 2026

Horse (Trainer)

• Forever Young (Yoshito Yahagi)
• Magnitude (Steven M Asmussen)
• Hit Show (Brad H Cox)
• Meydaan (Simon and Ed Crisford)
• Imperial Emperor (Bhupat Seemar)
• Tumbarumba (Hamad Al Jehani)
• Walk Of Stars (Bhupat Seemar)
• Heart Of Honor (Jamie A Osborne)
• Tap Leader (Doug Watson)
• To stay up to date with all the breaking news throughout the year, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

You may also be interested in:

A beginner’s guide to betting

If you fancy having a flutter on a horse race but don’t know where to start, we’re here to help.

‘Trouble can happen anywhere, but it’s an extra level of concern,’ says Jodie Hall-McAteer

Delight as European horses arrive home safe after ‘week of uncertainty’ owing to Middle East air strikes

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

We recommend VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example:

• Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service)
• Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad

We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing. 

Join the nation in watching Cheltenham Festival on TV today to witness “the greatest show on turf” with the added bonus of excellent angles, exciting commentary and expert punditry.

Today is the final day of Cheltenham Festival, which began on Tuesday, and the famous Cheltenham Gold Cup starts at 4pm.

At a glance

• Cheltenham Festival dates: 10–13 March 2026
• TV coverage: ITV (UK, FREE) or Racing TV
• Watch Cheltenham from anywhere: Use this NordVPN deal (73% off)

How to watch the Cheltenham Festival

ITV will screen most of the action live and for free, while Racing TV (Sky channel 424/Virgin Media 536) will broadcast via its subscription-based service.

You don’t an ITVX subscription to watch live racing – just an email address and a valid TV license. You can register for a free account or download the app to your mobile device.

If you’re away from home, you can use NordVPN to unlock your ITVX stream of this week’s Cheltenham action from anywhere in the world.

Free ITV coverage

ITV Racing will broadcast racing from Cheltenham Racecourse on 10–13 March from 12:30pm–5pm. You can watch on TV or online via ITVX.

The first six races on each day of the Cheltenham Festival are broadcast live on ITV1 (and can be streamed on ITVX). The ITV coverage is limited, however, to the first six races as it will only run between 12:45pm and 5pm. This means that the final race of each day (starting at 5:20pm) will not be available on ITV.

There is also “The Opening Show” each morning (9–10am) where they will preview the day’s racing. This is shown on ITV4 and ITVX. Finally, there is also a Cheltenham Festival Highlights show available on ITVX, which is a round up of each day after the event.

Who’s presenting ITV racing at Cheltenham?

The ITV racing coverage will, once again, be hosted by Ed Chamberlin, who has been the ITV Racing presenter since 2017. Richard Hoiles will be the lead commentator.

Analysis will be provided by former Cheltenham Gold Cup winner AP McCoy, extremely successful retired jockeys Ruby Walsh and Mick Fitzgerald, and jockey turned presenter Megan Nicholls.

Matt Chapman, Alice Plunkett, Rishi Persad and Luke Harvey will be roving reporters bringing you the biggest stories from around Prestbury Park.

Oli Bell presents the The Opening Show each morning.

How to watch the Cheltenham Festival live from anywhere

Coverage on ITVX is geo-blocked outside the UK. A VPN, though, will get you your usual coverage from anywhere in the world.

There are many VPN providers out there, with some more reliable and safe than others. We’d suggest using a paid-for service such as NordVPN, where you can get 73% off, which offers a 100% risk-free money back guarantee. If you’re not happy with the service any time within the first 30-days, then you can cancel with no penalties at all.

Today’s race times at Cheltenham

Day 4: Gold Cup Day (Friday, 13 March)

• 1.20pm | The JCB Triumph Hurdle (Grade 1)
• 2.00pm | The William Hill County Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap)
• 2.40pm | The Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase (Grade 2)
• 3.20pm | The Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1)
• 4.00pm | The Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup (Grade 1)
• 4.40pm | The Festival Challenge Cup Open Hunters’ Chase
• 5.20pm | The Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle

Have you made a bet? Here are our Cheltenham Day 4 tips

What are today’s highlights at Cheltenham?

Today’s highlights are the Grade One Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle, which is run over three miles, and the Grade One Ryanair Chase, which is a shorter 2m4½f. The Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle is considered the ultimate test of stamina for long-distance hurdlers, while the Ryanair Chase is ideal for horses that are too fast for the Gold Cup but need more stamina than the Champion Chase provides, and the fences are higher, which leaves less room for error.

Cheltenham Festival 2026 race times

All these races will be broadcast on ITVX. Races at 5.20pm (shown in italics) are available on Racing TV, while the feature races of each day are shown in bold.

Day 1: Champion day – Tuesday, 10 March

• 1.20pm | The Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1)
• 2.00pm | The Singer Arkle Novices’ Chase (Grade 1)
• 2.40pm | The Hallgarten and Novum Wines Juvenile Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap)
• 3.20pm | The Ultima Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap)
• 4.00pm | The Unibet Champion Hurdle (Grade 1)
• 4.40pm | The TrustATrader Plate Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap)
• 5.20pm | The Princess Royal National Hunt Novices’ Handicap Chase

Read our Cheltenham Day 1 report.

Day 2: Ladies Day – Wednesday, 11 March

• 1.20pm | The Turners Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1)
• 2.00pm | The Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase (Grade 1)
• 2.40pm | The Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap)
• 3.20pm | The Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase
• 4.00pm | The BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Chase (Grade 1)
• 4.40pm | The Debenhams Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap)
• 5.20pm | The Weatherbys Champion Bumper (Grade 1)

Read our Cheltenham Day 2 report.

Today – Day 3: St Patrick’s Thursday – Thursday, 12 March

• 1.20pm | The Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2)
• 2.00pm | The Jack Richards Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (Grade 2)
• 2.40pm | The Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle (Grade 1)
• 3.20pm | The Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle (Grade 1)
• 4.00pm | The Ryanair Chase (Grade 1)
• 4.40pm | The Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap)
• 5.20pm | The Rosconn Group Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Amateur Jockeys’ Handicap Chase

Read our Cheltenham Day 3 report.

Day 4: Gold Cup Day – Friday, 13 March

• 1.20pm | The JCB Triumph Hurdle (Grade 1)
• 2.00pm | The William Hill County Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap)
• 2.40pm | The Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase (Grade 2)
• 3.20pm | The Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1)
• 4.00pm | The Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup (Grade 1)
• 4.40pm | The Festival Challenge Cup Open Hunters’ Chase
• 5.20pm | The Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle

Have you made a bet? Here are our Cheltenham Day 4 tips

How to watch the 5.20pm race at Cheltenham

As the ITV coverage ends at 5pm, to watch the 5.20pm races each day you will need to sign up to Racing TV (Sky channel 424/Virgin Media 536).

What time is the Cheltenham Gold Cup?

The Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup will start at 4pm today, Friday 13 March, which is Gold Cup Day at the Cheltenham Festival. Following the final declarations on Wednesday, 11 March, the Cheltenham Gold Cup runners have now been confirmed.

When is the big race at Cheltenham Festival?

Racing fans are treated to a “championship” race every day of the Cheltenham Festival, beginning on Tuesday with the Unibet Champion Hurdle, Wednesday features the BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Chase, on Thursday it’s the Ryanair Chase and it all culminates on Friday with the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Each showpiece race runs as the fourth race and will start at 4pm. However, each of the 28 races over the four days offers something to savour with 12 Grade One (top level) races in total.

What is the Cheltenham Gold Cup?

The Cheltenham Gold Cup is a Grade 1 National Hunt race run at Cheltenham Racecourse over a distance of about 3m 2½f with 22 fences to be jumped. Gold Cup Day is considered the grand finale of the Cheltenham Festival and the race has crowned some of the greatest champions in jump racing history.

Is the Cheltenham Gold Cup on TV?

Yes, you can watch the Cheltenham Gold Cup for free on ITV or ITVX – the Gold Cup sets off at 4pm today (Friday, 13 March), but it’s one of seven races throughout the day. ITV Racing is broadcasting 12:30–5pm.

You don’t an ITVX subscription to watch live racing – just an email address and a valid TV license. You can register for a free account or download the app to your mobile device.

If you’re away from home, you can use NordVPN to unlock your ITVX stream of this week’s Cheltenham action from anywhere in the world.

How to bet at Cheltenham Festival

Online betting companies will be clamouring for your custom during Cheltenham Festival so look out for some of their promotional deals for new customers which include everything from a free bet to giving your money back if your horse loses.

You’ll need to deposit some money into your betting account, choose a race, select your horse (you could study the form and read our tips for day 4, or you could simply pick your lucky number of favourite colour from the jockeys’ silks) and the type of bet — then get ready to cheer!

How to watch Cheltenham Festival in person

If you don’t already have your Cheltenham Festival ticket, there are no more options to watch in person this year as Gold Cup Day is sold out. Thinking of visiting next year? Book somewhere to stay now before everyone else – here’s a list of hotels near Cheltenham Racecourse and other accommodation.

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news throughout the Cheltenham Festival and other major events, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

You may also be interested in:

Cheltenham day 4 tips from racing experts, including some cracking outsiders and ‘a great each-way bet’ in the Gold Cup

If at first you don’t succeed… It’s fifth time lucky for the Stayers’ winner and H&H columnist strikes with a 40/1 Festival winner on Cheltenham day 3

A bluffer’s guide to reading a racecard

Cheltenham Gold Cup confirmed runners and riders for 2026 after a late withdrawal

Meet Willie Mullins’ key Cheltenham Festival 2026 contenders: ‘This horse still has the ability to win the Gold Cup’

‘This fellow is top shelf’: the Cheltenham Gold Cup runner with a serious chance, according to Grand National-winning trainer

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

We recommend VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example:

• Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service)
• Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad

We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing. 

Watch the Welsh Grand National on TV this weekend and get a front-row seat for the biggest racing event of the year in Wales.

The Welsh Grand National is run at Chepstow Racecourse. It’s a Premier Handicap National Hunt steeplechase, which is open to horses aged four years or older. It is run over a distance of three miles and 6½ furlongs (6,154m) over 23 fences and the winner will take home more than £85,000.

At a glance

• Welsh Grand National dates: 27 December 2025
• TV coverage: ITV (UK, FREE), Racing TV or Sky Sports Racing
• Watch Welsh Grand National from anywhere: Use this NordVPN deal

How to watch the Welsh Grand National

ITV will screen all the action live and for free, while Racing TV (Sky channel 424/Virgin Media 536) and Sky Sports Racing (Sky channel 415/Virgin Media 519) will broadcast via their subscription-based services.

Free ITV coverage

ITV Racing will broadcast racing from Chepstow – and Kempton Park – on ITV1 from 12:30–15:00. You can watch on TV or online via ITVX.

The Welsh Grand National will start at 14:30.

How to watch the Welsh Grand National live from anywhere

Coverage on ITVX is geo-blocked outside the UK. A VPN, though, will get you your usual coverage from anywhere in the world.

A Virtual Private Network can alter your device’s digital location, bypassing geo-restrictions and unlocking your equestrian streams wherever you happen to be. VPNs also work wonders for your internet security, encrypting your information to keep you safe online.

There are many VPN providers out there, with some more reliable and safe than others. We’d suggest using a paid-for service such as NordVPN, where you can get 74% off, which offers a 100% risk-free money back guarantee. If you’re not happy with the service any time within the first 30-days, then you can cancel with no penalties at all.

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news throughout major events, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

You may also be interested in:

A beginner’s guide to betting

If you fancy having a flutter on a horse race but don’t know where to start, we’re here to help.

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

We recommend VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example:

• Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service)
• Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad

We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing. 

Watch the King George VI Chase on TV this Boxing Day and get a front-row seat for one of the most popular sporting events over the Christmas period.

The King George VI Chase Day at Kempton Park stages some of the most important races in the Jumps calendar – not only the famous Grade 1 showpiece, the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase, but also the Christmas Hurdle and Kauto Star Chase.

At a glance

• King George VI Chase dates: 26 December 2025
• TV coverage: ITV (UK, FREE), Racing TV or Sky Sports Racing
• Watch King George VI Chase from anywhere: Use this NordVPN deal

How to watch the King George VI Chase

ITV will screen all the action live and for free, while Racing TV (Sky channel 424/Virgin Media 536) and Sky Sports Racing (Sky channel 415/Virgin Media 519) will broadcast via their subscription-based services.

Free ITV coverage

ITV Racing will broadcast racing from Kempton – as well as Aintree and Wetherby – on ITV1 from 12:30–15:00. You can watch on TV or online via ITVX.

The King George VI Chase will start at 14:30.

How to watch the King George VI Chase live from anywhere

Coverage on ITVX is geo-blocked outside the UK. A VPN, though, will get you your usual coverage from anywhere in the world.

A Virtual Private Network can alter your device’s digital location, bypassing geo-restrictions and unlocking your equestrian streams wherever you happen to be. VPNs also work wonders for your internet security, encrypting your information to keep you safe online.

There are many VPN providers out there, with some more reliable and safe than others. We’d suggest using a paid-for service such as NordVPN, where you can get 74% off, which offers a 100% risk-free money back guarantee. If you’re not happy with the service any time within the first 30-days, then you can cancel with no penalties at all.

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news throughout major events, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

You may also be interested in:

Which horse has won more King George VI Chases than any other, plus other key facts about this historic Boxing Day race

Kim Bailey: ‘Is it time for the King George to leave Kempton Park?’

A beginner’s guide to betting

If you fancy having a flutter on a horse race but don’t know where to start, we’re here to help.

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

We recommend VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example:

• Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service)
• Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad

We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing. 

Champions: Full Gallop,  a new six-part documentary series showing jockeys “as you have never seen them before”, comes to TV screens tomorrow (19 July) at 9pm on ITV1 and ITVX.

Going behind the scenes with jockeys, trainers, owners and horses as they compete in the 2023-24 jumps season, the series features contributions from key players including trainers Paul Nicholls, Nicky Henderson, Willie Mullins and Dan Skelton and jockeys such as Harry Cobden, Sean Bowen, Harry Skelton and Bryony Frost at key meetings including the Cheltenham and Grand National festivals.

The series takes in all the elements that make racing such a compelling sport, from charismatic owners to the trainers and stable staff who invest so much in the welfare of their horses.

Produced by South Shore, supported by Flutter and Racecourse Media Group (RMG), the series has been given access to all areas from weighing rooms to stable yards as viewers are invited to follow the thrills, emotion and drama both on and off the racetrack.

The first episode will chart the build-up to and outcome of the King George VI at Kempton on Boxing Day as the programme attempts to follow the success of other sports documentaries, such as F1’s Drive To Survive and tennis’ Break Point.

RMG chief executive Martin Stevenson this week described the launch of the docuseries as a “huge opportunity” for racing.

He said: “The question is how can we build on this. I hope everybody will love it and we can talk about the next series. The way these things work best is to build them over a number of series and to really draw people into the stories so it becomes one of the ways they enjoy the sport.

“We want people at home to be able to engage with racing and to see it in a different way, to get a glimpse behind the scenes and experience the grit and the glory.

“We hope to ultimately widen the sport’s fanbase. Racing is clearly facing some challenges, but it still has a huge audience and if we can get a decent fraction of the people who enjoy jump racing engaged then we’ve succeeded.”

You might also be interested in:

Gold Cup-winning retired racehorse to take on showjumping challenge

Horse & Hound’s 140th anniversary legends: Desert Orchid – ‘Everybody thought I’d gone mad when I sent him to the King George’

An Irish trainer wins British jumps title for first time in 70 years as champions crowned

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the Paris Olympics, Royal International, Burghley and more with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

If you love watching horse sport, we’ve pulled together a selection of events being streamed online and broadcast on TV this week (15–22 July), so you can enjoy what’s going on across the equestrian world from the comfort of your sofa...

Clip My Horse TV

Action from the FEI Jumping Nations Cup leg in Falsterbo, Sweden, begins today (Friday, 15 July), while dressage fans can follow the Bicton Summer Regionals on 20–23 July.

Click here to watch.

Horse & Country

This week you can catch the RDA National Championships at Hartpury (15–17 July), the Carriage Driving Championships (16–17 July), and the BD Area Festival at Wellington (19–21 July).

Click here to watch.

Equus TV

Stream all sorts of horsey content from across the disciplines.

Click here to watch.

ITV Racing

Enjoy racing action either on the TV screen or online via the ITV Hub.

Saturday 16 July | 13:25–16:00 ITV

Newbury – 13:50 Bet365 Stakes (Registered as the Steventon Stakes) (1m 2f); 14:21 Highclere Castle Gin Cup Stakes (2m ½f); 14:56 Bet365 Hackwood Stakes (Group 3) (6f); 15:30 Weatherbys Super Sprint Stakes (5f)

Market Rasen – 14:06 Unibet Horserace Betting Operator Of The Year Handicap Hurdle (2m 7f); 14:41 Unibet 15 To Go Summer Handicap Hurdle (2m ½f); 15:14 Unibet Summer Plate Handicap Chase (Grade 3) (2m 5½f)

Curragh – 15:45 Juddmonte Irish Oaks (Group 1) (1m 4f)

Horseracing TV channels

Racing TV – coverage from 61 British and Irish racecourses, as well as exclusive feature programmes, racing from across the world and replays on your TV and online. Viewers can purchase a day pass (£10), a monthly subscription (£24.98 per month) or an annual package (£249 per year).

Sky Sports Racing – follow the sport on Sky TV and online. Get live racing results, racecards, news, videos, photos, stats and daily tips. Via NOW TV, grab a Sky Sports Day Pass (£9.99), a Sky Sports Week Pass (£14.99) or a Sky Sports Month Pass (£33.99).

You might also be interested in:

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits. 

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Top female jockey Hollie Doyle has broken the British record she set in 2019 in a “tremendous feat”.

The 23-year-old has set a new record for wins achieved by a woman during a calendar year after riding her 117th victory in 2020 with State Occasion at Kempton Park on 14 October. Hollie broke Josephine Gordon’s record of 106 wins last year when she reached 116 winners on 5 December.

A spokesman for Great British Racing said Hollie’s tremendous feat is “even more impressive” given that she has broken the record in fewer days, with the sport being suspended for 75 days between March and June owing to the pandemic.

“When I broke the record last year in the back of my mind I was always thinking about breaking it again this year, as I didn’t want it to be a one off, so I’m delighted to have achieved that goal,” said Hollie, who became the third woman to ride a winner at Royal Ascot with Scarlet Dragon in the Duke of Edinburgh Stakes.

“When you think that we also missed two months of racing this year, it is amazing that I have been able to do it so quickly. I want to thank all the owners and trainers that have supported me throughout this year, without them, none of this would have been possible.”

Hollie has enjoyed a successful season claiming maiden Group victories in the Group Two Princess of Wale’s Tattersalls Stakes at Newmarket on 9 July, and the Group Three BetVictor Rose of Lancaster Stakes at Haydock Park on 8 August on Extra Elusive.

Article continued below…

#VoteHollie: 9 things you need to know about record-breaking jockey Hollie Doyle & how to vote for her to become BBC Sports Personality of the Year

Find out more about this shining star of the weighing room

Rider breaks records with five wins in one day

Hollie Doyle smashed more records this week, becoming the first woman to ride five winners in a day under Rules

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

She also won the Group Three Gallagher Group Winter Hill Stakes at Windsor on 29 August, the same day she made history recording five winners, before following up with a treble on 30 August.

ITV racing presenter Francesca Cumani said: “I have made the point many times that I think gender is irrelevant when it comes to jockeys. For too long, female riders have not had the same opportunities as their male counterparts and have not had the chance to show the extent of their skills.

“Hollie has proven that when given an opening she can be just as capable, if not more than any of her colleagues. She is pocket sized but has talent for horses big and small that you can’t measure. Her humility and affability hold her in great stead for further successes and more records.”

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade to access our H&H Plus online service which brings you breaking news as it happens as well as other benefits.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

A documentary charting the story the Peckham teenager Khadijah Mellah, who made history at this summer’s Glorious Goodwood, will air on ITV this weekend.

Khadijah, 18, stormed into the history books when she won the Magnolia Cup at the Sussex racecourse on 1 August.

She first sat on a racehorse just four months previously and the Magnolia Cup marked the first time a person had raced in a hijab on a British racecourse, with her victory making her the first British Muslim woman to ride a winner on UK soil.

Riding A Dream, produced by UnVeil Arts, will be shown on ITV at 12.15pm on Saturday (2 November) — directly after the Rugby World Cup final.

“A big part of my life has been proving people wrong,” said Khadijah, who won the charity race aboard the Charlie Fellows-trained Haverland.

“I am thrilled that I am part of a shift in social understanding of what women can achieve and what they can be good at. There’s quite a stereotype around Muslim girls and them ‘not being able to follow their sporting dreams’. I want to be a role model to anyone who wants to do something that they wouldn’t initially believe was in their comfort zone and allow people to follow their aspirations and dreams.”

Article continues below…

You might also be interested in:

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

‘Horses bring me immeasurable happiness’: Peckham teen makes history with Magnolia Cup glory

The 18-year-old became the first woman to race in a hijab in Britain with her winning ride in Goodwood’s Magnolia

Oscar winner to play legendary trainer Sir Henry Cecil in Frankel film

‘This is the story of how [Sir] Henry in his autumn years fought failure and illness to make Frankel the

The documentary follows Khadijah’s journey from Ebony Horse Club in Brixton, where she learnt to ride, through the challenges she faced while preparing for the race — including fasting during Ramadan, preparing for her A-levels and making the jump from riding in a school to galloping racehorses.

“Growing up in Peckham with no real connection to horses before she started riding at Ebony Horse Club, Khadijah’s fairytale story broke down barriers and stereotypes and proved that there are no limits to what you can achieve when you put your mind to it,” states the synopsis from ITV.

“Hers is a story that not only impressed a nation but also inspired the world.”

For a full interview with Khadijah, don’t miss today’s issue of Horse & Hound (7 November).

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Royal Ascot is undoubtedly the jewel in Flat racing’s crown. Here are some interesting facts you may not know about the historic meeting...

The Queen first attended Royal Ascot in 1945 at the age of 19. As an owner, she has since enjoyed 23 winners there since.

During the earlier days of her reign, The Queen used to gallop down Ascot racecourse early in the morning before racing started. In 1960, she finished fourth of seven in an unofficial “race” with members of the Royal party.

Ascot is the only place at which The Queen has ever been seen publicly running.

Royal Ascot has witnessed social change over the years — until 1955 divorcees were not allowed into the Royal Enclosure.

The fashion rules have become slightly more relaxed over recent years and, in 2017, jumpsuits were introduced in the Royal Enclosure. However, this year has witnessed a ban of men’s ankles being on show — socks are now compulsory.

Each year the bookies bet on the colour of The Queen’s outfit each day and they will be doing the same with the Duchess of Sussex this year, who is making her Royal Ascot debut. ITV Racing’s fashion expert, Mark Heyes thinks the Duchess will be “low key, sleek and elegant in a pastel shade.”

Royal Ascot is also renowned for its picnics and there is a 100-year waiting list for one of the coveted “picnic parking spots” in the Royal Enclosure’s car park one.

There are three miles of festive bunting — over half a mile further than the longest race.

An incredible 60,000 finger sandwiches and 80,000 cups of tea are consumed during the five-day Royal Ascot meeting — almost the same number served at the three garden parties The Queen hosts at Buckingham Palace each year. While 56,000 bottles of champagne, 44,000 bottles of wine and 21,000 jugs of Pimm’s are drunk — thirsty anyone?

Royal Ascot will be broadcast each day on ITV with coverage starting at 1.30pm. Live racing and features will be brought to you by the ITV Racing panel, with daily coverage of the Royal procession at 2pm.

Don’t miss the full report from Royal Ascot in Horse & Hound magazine — on sale Thursday, 28 June.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

The ITV Racing reporter Oli Bell tells H&H about his run-in with The Queen following an emotional win at last year’s Royal Ascot

Rewind 12 months and the Michael Bell-trained Big Orange was accelerating towards the winning post at Royal Ascot to clinch the Gold Cup by a short head. What followed was a sight to raise the blood pressure of the most seasoned security guard; a seemingly rogue morning dress-clad man charging onto the track, a Colgate white grin fixed across his face.

“I’ve always told myself that if my uncle had a big race winner and I was lucky enough to be on air, that I’d be ice-cool. I’d be so professional and everyone would say, ‘Wow he dealt with that really well, you’d never know that he had a connection with the horse’,” says Oli Bell with an embarrassed smirk when we meet at Sandown at the start of the Flat season.

“And then the horse crossed the line, and the emotion of everything was phenomenal. I literally threw my microphone on the floor, lobbed my hat somewhere and just charged down. I got about 50 yards, realised I was on my own and thought, ‘What am I doing?’

“When I look back at those shots it looks quite self-indulgent of me but I think it’s really important for people in racing to convey that excitement to the audience.

“It showed that at the most regal occasion it was OK to be a bit of an idiot and get carried away by this sport, because that’s what it does to people.”

Article continues below…

You might also be interested in:

Avoid a fashion faux pas at Royal Ascot with the full 2026 dress code for every enclosure

How to watch Royal Ascot 2026 live from anywhere in the world

The following day it was business as usual for the now 31-year-old, who got the call-up to be part of the ITV Racing team when it replaced Channel 4 at the beginning of 2017.

“I was looking around gormlessly for an interview in the paddock, as I normally do, when [The Queen’s racing advisor] John Warren came over and said, ‘Someone would like to meet you’.”

After congratulating Oli on his uncle’s winner, Her Majesty proceeded to tell him that she had “looked out of the box and thought, ‘Who is that lunatic running on to the track?’”.

“I think moments like that with Big Orange, whether you’re The Queen or working in a betting shop, make you realise how emotional it is and how much it means to everyone involved,” he says.

Don’t miss all the action from Royal Ascot 2018 on ITV next week — 19-23 June 2018

For our full interview with Oli Bell don’t miss this week’s issue of Horse & Hound magazine (14 June 2018). And our report and analysis from Royal Ascot will be in the 21 June issue

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now