THE FESTIVAL DIARY

MATT HUGHES AT CHELTENHAM

ITV gained more ammunition for next week’s crunch talks with the Racing Media Group over the next television contract by gaining record viewing figures for the second day of the Festival. The average audience of 962,000 and average audience share of 15 per cent were the highest for day two since records began in 2003, while the peak of 1.37million was the highest for more than a decade.

SKY SPORTS instructed racing fans among their stable of talent, such as Matt Le Tissier, Paul Merson and Jeff Stelling, to stay away from Cheltenham on health grounds due to concern about the spread of coronavirus. As a result, the Sky Bet hospitality box has been quieter than usual all week, although racing reporter David Craig has been at Prestbury Park covering the Festival for Sky Sports News. Sky’s advice to all their staff at present is only to travel to events that are essential to maintain the network’s output.

A nuMbeR in the Irish media have taken an even more cautious approach to the virus, with several journalists going home from Cheltenham yesterday despite the huge interest in racing in the country. The sudden exodus followed strict emergency measures put in place by Taoiseach Leo Varadkar on Wednesday evening, including cancelling all outdoor gatherings with crowds of over 500 people. That could have a devastating impact on Irish racing.

EVER eager to gain cheap publicity, Paddy Power considered several coronavirus related stunts this week, although appear to have opted out on the grounds of taste. One particularly crass proposal was giving away Paddy Powerbranded face masks, an idea which was quietly shelved.

One group of people appear to have developed an immunity to the virus: ticket touts. Despite dwindling crowds and a High Court ruling last year which banned them from operating at Cheltenham, touts were still much in evidence yesterday. business was slow and their profits seem sure to be down however, with £100 tickets exchanging hands for as little as £30.