Watch Cheltenham Festival Day 1 2026 on ITV1: Ed Chamberlin Presents with Richard Hoiles, AP McCoy and More

The Cheltenham Festival kicks off today, Tuesday 10 March 2026, with Day 1 action starting at 12:45 UK time, and ITV1, ITV HD, ITVX, STV (Scotland), STV Player, and Virgin Media One/HD/Play offering comprehensive live coverage for viewers across the UK and Ireland. This premier National Hunt event at Cheltenham Racecourse features seven blockbuster races, including the Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle at 13:20 and the Unibet Champion Hurdle at 16:00, all broadcast free-to-air on these channels to capture the excitement of jumps racing's biggest stage.

Leading the ITV team is veteran presenter Ed Chamberlin, whose smooth delivery has made him a staple of British racing coverage since joining ITV in 2016 after a decade at Channel 4. Chamberlin's career highlights include calling historic moments like Nicky Henderson's record-breaking wins, blending expert analysis with engaging interviews to draw in both seasoned punters and newcomers.

Providing the race calls is main commentator Richard Hoiles, renowned for his distinctive voice and encyclopedic knowledge of the sport. Hoiles, who began commentating in the 1990s, has covered every Cheltenham Festival since 2003, earning acclaim for his precision during high-stakes finishes in races like the Champion Hurdle.

The punditry line-up is a who's who of racing legends. Megan Nicholls, a former top amateur jockey with over 150 winners, transitioned seamlessly to broadcasting, offering sharp insights on form and tactics drawn from her riding career under trainers like her father, Nigel Twiston-Davies. Joining her are icons Sir AP McCoy, the only 20-time Jump Jockeys' Champion with 4,358 career victories, including four Cheltenham Gold Cups; Mick Fitzgerald, a three-time Festival winner who rode the great Commanche Court to Gold Cup glory in 1997 before becoming a beloved ITV analyst; and Ruby Walsh, 12-time leading Festival rider with triumphs on horses like Kauto Star and Henderson, now a globally respected pundit whose previews are must-watch for bettors.

On-the-ground reporting comes from a crack team: Matt Chapman, the pit lane reporter known for his paddock walks and trainer scoops; Luke Harvey, ex-jockey turned broadcaster with a knack for spotting value bets; Oli Bell, Channel 4's former face now thriving on ITV with his youthful energy; Rishi Persad, a multilingual presenter who's covered racing worldwide; Alice Plunkett, equestrian expert and Olympian turned racing interviewer; and Brian Gleeson, son of legendary trainer Octavian, bringing Irish perspective from the enclosure.

Day 1's card is stacked with Grade 1 showdowns. The 13:20 Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1, 2m½f) highlights young hurdlers, followed by the 14:00 Singer Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices' Chase (Grade 1, 2m). The 15:20 Trustmarque Ultima Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap, 3m1f, £150,000 prize money) and 16:40 Sun Racing Plate Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap, 2m4f44yds) promise wide-open fields, while the 16:00 Unibet Champion Hurdle (Grade 1, 2m½f) is the centrepiece, pitting stars like potential favourite Lossiemouth against rivals in a clash of champions.

For Irish and Scottish audiences, STV and Virgin Media ensure seamless access, with streaming on ITVX and STV Player ideal for global fans via VPN. ITV's coverage, secured through UK broadcasting rights until 2028, remains the gold standard for Cheltenham Festival, blending high production values with unparalleled expertise.

Whether you're eyeing ante-post fancies like Saratoga at 6/1 in early races or dreaming of Champion Hurdle glory, tune in from 12:45. For more on Sir AP McCoy's legendary career, visit his Wikipedia page. This is jumps racing at its finest—don't miss it.

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Article generated: 10 March 2026, 12:51 GMT