Beloved racecourse set to return to ITV coverage for first time in decades under major broadcasting change

A BELOVED British racecourse is set to return to terrestrial TV for the first time in decades this weekend as part of a major broadcasting change.

The sub-zero temperatures have decimated the fixture list and forced the abandonment of, among many, Ascot’s big Clarence House Chase card.

PA:Press Association

Fakenham could make a big comeback to terrestrial TV on Sunday – if the track gets the go-ahead to race[/caption]

But Fakenham in Norfolk is set to come to the rescue on Sunday, when they will hope to feature alongside Lingfield on ITV’s coverage.

Both tracks are desperate to beat the big freeze and showcase action – Lingfield in particular after losing the first day of their three-day Winter Million fixture on Friday.

Fakenham has gone through a nightmare spell of its own.

They lost their big New Year’s Day fixture to Southwell this year.

And there were shambolic scenes a day later when they were forced to abandon their January 2 card seconds before the first race.

But that could all be forgotten on Sunday if they get a primetime slot on the ITV3 coverage.

A mares’ handicap hurdle at 2.40 and veterans’ handicap chase at 3.15 are down to form part of the action.

Clerk of the course David Hunter told the Racing Post: “I’ve been at the track for 27 years and we’ve never had ITV or Channel 4 coverage in that time.

“I think it was on the old ITV7, something like 30 years ago, which was the last time there was a terrestrial race broadcast from Fakenham.”

It is still very touch and go, though.

On Thursday, a light dusting of snow covered the track once visited by King Charles.

Temperatures will dip below zero but rise again on Saturday with highs of 10C forecast for Sunday.

Hunter said an inspection could be called as late as Sunday morning but believed the track had a ‘sporting chance’ of a return to terrestrial TV.

Fakenham’s likely reappearance comes after Newbury switched from Racing TV to Sky Sports Racing.

But the first fixture of the sparkling new five-year deal was one in a long line to fall victim to the cold snap earlier this week.

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