SBC News Voice of the Sports Betting Industry
Jools Holland and Christmas movie replays can wait. It has been announced that the New Year’s Eve fixture at Newbury, alongside action from Warwick, will be made free to view on Racing UK, following Channel 4’s decision to withdraw the fixture from its schedule.
The Newbury card, which is headlined by the Grade 1 Betfred Challow Hurdle, plus seven competitive races from Warwick, will be free to watch in over 13 million homes on Sky 432 and Virgin 536. In addition, Racing UK will stream the live coverage on www.racinguk.com at no cost.
Nick Mills, Commercial Director at Racing UK, said: “Racing UK is keen to ensure Newbury racecourse and its sponsor Betfred receive the coverage and audience such a high-profile card merits. We will ensure all viewers with access to Sky, Virgin and the internet can view the channel and watch all the action from both Newbury and Warwick at no cost.”
Andy Clifton, Head of Communications at Newbury Racecourse, added: “We are looking forward to Betfred Challow Hurdle day, which promises to be a great mix of top-class racing and family entertainment. I am delighted that Racing UK is pulling out all the stops to make sure that as many
people as possible who can’t make it to Newbury in person will be able to enjoy the racing live.”
Nick Luck will present the action from the Berkshire track, aided by the insight of Jonathan Neesom. Tom Stanley will be the roving reporter while Paul Morrison and Dave Nevison will be on hand in the paddock and betting ring.
The Betfred Challow Hurdle has an excellent record of producing many top class horses, with the recent roll of honour including King’s Road, Bindaree, Denman, Wichita Lineman, Diamond Harry, Reve de Sivola, Taquin du Seuil and Barters Hill (pictured).
