ITV have gave racing fans a boost in a week that has been one to forget for the sport, as they will host five live races from the only meeting running across Britain and Ireland at Naas Racecourse.
ITV 4 will be the channel to head to on Saturday with Ireland saving the day showing the only card at Naas in which it is the broadcasters first time presenting a live meeting from the track.
This news broke shortly after the BHA released a statement saying there would be no racing taking place between Thursday and will be back at the earliest of Wednesday 13th February.
The equine influenza disaster has sparked the world of racing into meltdown with still a lot of uncertainties for the sport keeping everyone on there toes and waiting for the next update from the BHA which is set for this afternoon.
ITV had been due to cover the big meetings in Britain across the Saturday with stand out races coming from Newbury and Warwick.
2018 Gold Cup winner and 2018 King George VI winner Native River and Clan Des Obeaux were set to clash in the Grade 2 Betfair Denman Chase it what would have been there final preparation race before Cheltenham but sadly the virus scuppered these plans.
The broadcast from Naas comes in a quick fire double showing from Ireland with ITV hosting a live show from Leopardstown last weekend in the second renewal of the Dublin Racing Festival.
This was the first showing of the new year in Ireland with it only happening usually around five times a year but with now with the added pressure to get live racing on and Ireland the only place providing the action, this could become more of an occurrence.
Matt Chapman, ITV's Betting Pundit and well known character in the horse racing industry was live on Good Morning Britain on Friday giving his opinion on the equine flu saga and explaining to the viewers what it means for British racing.
The equine flu will not impact tomorrow's racing show on @ITV4, and five races in Ireland will be played - the show goes on!@MCYeeehaaa @itvracing pic.twitter.com/CZXhLM98zd
— Good Morning Britain (@GMB) February 8, 2019
Chapman also seen in this video was promoting the broadcasting teams trip to Naas and for all racing fans to tune in with the showing starting at 13:30pm and running until 16:00pm.
Naas offer a seven race card on Saturday with the feature race of the day coming in the Listed Mares Chase at 14:10 and the second race on ITV.
It will feature some decent horses but with the obvious lack of racing the quality compared to a usual ITV broadcast will not be of the same caliber.
The Opening Show will be on from 9.30-10.30am on ITV4 and the issue of Equine Flu will be discussed heavily as we have on the rest of our site.