Ed Chamberlin: 'Jump racing pulls at the heartstrings like nothing else I know'

Now is the time to be excited. My appetite was certainly whetted when we were at Newmarket two weeks ago. As we enjoyed the Chepstow action from afar, we smiled at the sight of delighted owners, trainers, jockeys and grooms joyfully celebrating wins. The rest of us can celebrate as well because we know what lies ahead.

Chepstow was super but imagine what Cheltenham is going to be like later this week. For the first time in 19 months there will be a proper crowd at the place we adore. People will be reunited with friends they have not seen since the festival of 2020. They will also be seeing more old friends competing on the track. It’s what jumping is all about and it’s why we so love showcasing the sport on ITV.

Very sadly, we’ll be without two of the very best friends jumping has had following the recent deaths of Trevor Hemmings and Andy Stewart. They were wonderful supporters of the sport and at heart, like the rest of us, they were principally jumps fans. Both would no doubt have played a part in helping Britain’s efforts to fight back after Ireland’s extraordinary domination last season. The renewing of that rivalry is the tastiest subplot as we enter the core part of the season.