The 2021 Cheltenham Festival is nearly underway, with all the drama and excitement that brings.
However, with spectators unable to attend in person due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and England’s current lockdown, we’ll all be forced to follow along remotely.
You can read our guide on how to watch the 2021 Cheltenham Festival on TV, but what if you don’t have a television or simply prefer the ambience the radio can provide? Don’t worry, we’ve got that covered here too.
Unlike last year, the Jockey Club – which organises the Festival – will not be running its own in-house radio station. A statement on its website reads: “Cheltenham radio is anticipated to return to our airwaves when crowds are allowed back on the racecourse; we apologise for any inconvenience.”
Talk Sport also appear to have abandoned the idea of broadcasting the races live – its schedule is lacking any mention of live coverage, with the exception of Gold Cup day, when the Talk Sport 2 Social show will include live commentary from the Cheltenham Festival.
Comprehensive radio coverage is, however, available on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra, which will broadcast live commentary of all 28 races across the week, starting at 1.15pm and ending at 5pm each day. The BBC’s coverage team for the Festival includes leading former jockeys Katie Walsh, Barry Geraghty and Andrew Thornton, plus Mark Chapman will present the final day, on Friday 19 March, a portion of which will also be broadcast on the main 5 Live channels.
Of course, if you prefer to read than listen or watch, Gloucestershire Live will be on hand to bring you all the biggest news from the Festival, which runs from March 16 to March 19.
