The Scotsman

ITV to the four at Musselburg­h’s Cheltenham trials meeting

- By PETER ALLISON

ITV have confirmed they will broadcast four races live at Musselburg­h’s bet365 Scottish Cheltenham Trials meeting on Sunday 7 February. East Lothian course will share the bill with the second day of the Dublin Racing Festival at Leopardsto­wn and ITV’S commitment strengthen­s Musselburg­h’s position as a top draw for owners and trainers preparing horses for the Cheltenham and Aintree festivals.

With total prize money of £106,000 on the day, the broadcast will cover the Class 1 bet365 Scottish Triumph Hurdle, bet365’s Scottish Stayers Novices’ Hurdle, Scottish Supreme Novices’ Hurdle and a Pertemps Hurdle Series Qualifier race.

From small beginnings in 2006 when Musselburg­h first staged a Triumph Hurdle trial based on its Cheltenham namesake, the Scottish Cheltenham Trials weekend has gone on to prove its worth to trainers aiming for the major racing festivals and it now boasts nine highly-regarded prep races over the two days.

Musselburg­h Racecourse general manager Bill Farnsworth said: “It has always been our ambition to have ITV covthe ering both days of our Scottish Cheltenham Trials weekend and it is an added bonus that we will be part of their Sunday programme which features the Dublin Racing Festival.

“With the support of bet365, we have been able to increase prize money for the four ITV races to £20,000 each, and we have lined up three excellent novice hurdle trials and a Pertemps

hurdle qualifier, which we hope will attract some very strong entries.

“From humble beginnings 15 years ago, we have worked hard to develop the Scottish Cheltenham Trials into a bona fide preparatio­n for the leading yards who have potentiall­y serious contenders for the Cheltenham and Aintree festivals.”

Successful Musselburg­h entries over the years, which went on to race at the highest level include Frodon, the dual Grade 1 winner of the King George VI Chase and Ryanair Chase, Seeyouatmi­dnight, Clever Cookie and We Have A Dream, who followed up his success in the Scottish Triumph Hurdle Trial with a win in the Grade 1 Juvenile Novices’ Hurdle at the Aintree Festival.

ITV are also covering the £30,000 bet365 Edinburgh National and the £25,000 bet365 Scottish County Hurdle at Musselburg­h on Saturday 6 February. The Sunday programme will be hosted by Ed Chamberlin and will be on ITV4 from 1-4pm.

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