ITV deal now imminent after agreement reached on Grand National rebate

Racing can celebrate an additional piece of good news as it prepares for its long-awaited resumption after it emerged ITV is finally on the cusp of securing a new three-year deal that would guarantee extensive mainstream coverage until the end of 2023.

The Racing Post understands a key meeting on Friday between ITV and rights holders resolved the issue of how much the broadcaster should receive back from the Jockey Club due to the cancellation of this year's Randox Health Grand National, by far the most valuable single component in the network's racing contract.

The loss of this year's Grand National meant ITV was owed a rebate on its fees to racingCredit: Christopher Furlong / Getty Images

Relations between ITV and the Jockey Club, which had already been strained, deteriorated further when ITV reacted to the sport's shutdown by failing to make a scheduled quarterly payment, prompting Jockey Club chief executive Delia Bushell to tell the industry's Betting Liaison Group that ITV was in breach of obligations regarding rights fees.