For terrestrial TV viewers, ITV is the home of horse racing in the UK. Having initially shown live racing between 1969 and 1985, Britain’s second-oldest channel regained horse racing rights from Channel 4 in 2016. Replacing the much-loved Channel 4 coverage presented ITV with a tough challenge. It is fair to say they have passed the test with flying colours.
Since the relaunch in 2017, ITV Racing has beamed the best of UK racing into our homes. The latest deal, which runs until 2030, will see ITV show 117 days of racing per year across ITV1, ITV4, ITVX, STV, and STV Player. From the biggest Saturday fixtures to the crown jewels of the Aintree Grand National, Cheltenham Festival, Royal Ascot, and the Epsom Derby, the ITV cameras will be there to see it all.
As ever, the equine athletes are the true stars of the racing show, but ITV has assembled a talented squad to set the scene for the entertainment. Led by three main presenters and backed by a team of knowledgeable pundits, ITV’s Bafta-winning coverage does an outstanding job of bringing the excitement of racing to living rooms up and down the country. Let’s meet the team.
Main Presenters
Since the 2017 relaunch, ITV Racing has benefitted from a consistent presenting team, with the following trio leading the way.
Ed Chamberlin
The face of ITV Racing, Ed Chamberlin has acted as the main presenter since the sport returned to ITV. A former journalist and bookmaker, Ed will be a familiar face to football fans, following his stint as the main football presenter on Sky Sports between 2011 and 2016. While having no direct racing background, Chamberlin’s betting knowledge and love of the sport shine through.
Francesca Cumani
The chief co-presenter, particularly during the flat season, Francesca Cumani, is the daughter of the Classic-winning trainer Luca Cumani. Having spent time working in the training and breeding industries, in addition to picking up four wins as an amateur rider, Cumani brings a broad knowledge to the role. In 2019, Cumani and Chamberlin were the joint winners of the Broadcast Sports Presenter of the Year honour at the Sports Journalism Association Awards.
Oli Bell
As the son of sports broadcaster Rupert Bell and the nephew of successful trainer Michael Bell, Oli Bell was well placed for a career as a racing presenter. Hosting his first radio show at the age of 15, Oli later spent time as a professional poker player and a presenter for Racing UK and Sky Australia. A member of the team since 2017, Bell is a regular in the race-day coverage and presents The Opening Show.
Pundits
At least one of the above will be present at the majority of ITV Racing race days. Backing them up is an impressive cast of supporting presenters, former jockeys, and betting experts.
Matt Chapman
An unmistakable presence throughout the flat and national hunt seasons, Matt Chapman is renowned for his unbridled enthusiasm and forthright opinions. Starting out in the industry with the Racing Post, he is the main betting expert at ITV Racing. Labelled as a “Marmite” character by some, Matt is a former winner of the Horserace Writers and Photographers Broadcaster of the Year Award.
Megan Nicholls
Megan Nicholls is the daughter of 14-time British Champion National Hunt trainer Paul Nicholls. Catching the racing bug at an early age, Megan went on to a successful career in the saddle, riding 120 winners under rules before retiring to focus on a media career. A popular addition to the ITV Racing team, Megan is a natural in front of the camera and boasts impressive National Hunt and Flat racing knowledge.
Sir AP McCoy
The greatest jumps jockey of all time. Combining natural talent with hard work, an insatiable will to win, and an iron constitution, McCoy rode a record 4,358 winners. The Northern Irishman won just about every major race on the calendar and was crowned Champion Jockey 20 times – every year he was a professional. Knighted for his services to racing in 2016, McCoy provides brilliant insight and race analysis.
Ruby Walsh
Another all-time great of the saddle, Ruby Walsh sits third on the all-time winners list, behind only Sir AP McCoy and Richard Johnson. At the Cheltenham Festival, Ruby had no equal, with his partnerships with Paul Nicholls and Willie Mullins taking him to a record-setting 59 wins. Primarily deployed as a race analyst, Walsh helps paint a picture of what goes through a jockey’s mind during a race.
Jason Weaver
Unlike McCoy and Walsh, Weaver rode exclusively on the flat. Amassing over 1,000 winners during his career, he claimed eight Group 1 prizes, including the 1994 edition of the 2,000 Guineas. Bringing knowledge and a great sense of humour to his pundit role, Weaver is always worth listening to when he has a fancy for a particular race.
Luke Harvey
Possibly the happiest man in the world of horse racing, ex-jockey Luke Harvey spent 12 years in the saddle. His crowning moment came when partnering Cool Ground to victory in the 1990 Welsh Grand National. While usually located at the starting stalls, Harvey has provided insight from various locations, including a trackside swimming pool in his underwear.
Adele Mulrennan
The wife of Group 1 winning rider Paul Mulrennan, Adele also spent time as a jockey, riding a dozen winners between 2003 and 2012. A proud Yorkshire lass, Adele retired from the saddle to focus on her family and a media career. Combining a down-to-earth nature with deep knowledge, Adele is a great addition to the ITV team.
“They need to understand we’re going to be in this for a very long time and something needs to change”
Adele Mulrennan on the economic challenges the Cheltenham Festival faces.#ITVRacing | @acmulrennan pic.twitter.com/JOLnjnJwn5
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) March 9, 2024
Rishi Persad
One of the most instantly recognisable faces in the ITV team, Rishi joined At The Races in 2002. Since then, he has covered golf, snooker, the Olympic Games and, of course, horse racing in his roles as a presenter for Channel 4, the BBC and ITV. Following the switch from Channel 4 in 2016, Rishi was retained as a member of the new presenting team.
Brian Gleeson
The voice of the betting ring, Gleeson rivals Matt Chapman in the enthusiasm department. Beginning in radio, Irishman Gleeson later worked for RTÉ, TV3 and the BBC before joining the ITV racing team. An expert on the odds, Gleeson relays the latest price movements in his inimitable style.
Sally Ann Grassick
Hailing from a prominent Irish racing family, Sally Ann’s work with Newtown Stud provides her with intimate knowledge of the breeding industry. A prominent racing journalist, her main role at ITV sees her interviewing the winning trainers and jockeys in the immediate aftermath of a race.
Alice Plunkett
Former jockey Plunkett is the only woman to ever ride at the Badminton Horse Trials and over the Aintree Grand National fences. A member of the Channel 4 racing team from 2000 onwards, she retained her position when racing moved to ITV in 2017. Alice is renowned for portraying the human stories behind the biggest races, and her knowledge of the thoroughbred breed.
🗣️ “Is it good for Irish racing to see five or six runners from the same yard in each of the major races?”
Alice Plunkett on whether or not it is beneficial for Irish racing to have such dominant yards#ITVRacing pic.twitter.com/rfl8Bwprjm
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) January 10, 2026
Leonna Mayor
Stoke-on-Trent native Leonna boasts no family racing ties but developed a love of the sport in her youth. Initially working with show ponies, she progressed to a successful career in the saddle, riding 32 winners between 2009 and 2013. Following an ankle injury in 2013, Leonna seamlessly transitioned to a career in front of the camera, with her personality and insight proving an immediate hit with viewers.