New team take chance to polish performances before launch

January 1 is the day ITV take over the baton as racing's terrestrial partner, but Friday was the day it all became very real for Ed Chamberlin, Luke Harvey, Mick Fitzgerald, Hayley Turner, Alice Plunkett, Oli Bell and Matt Chapman as work began in earnest and they descended on Cheltenham for a full-blown dress rehearsal.

From the morning magazine show, which the Racing Post understands will be called the Opening Show, through 'live' coverage of the first four races, the new faces of racing interviewed jockeys, trainers and bookmakers, previewed and analysed races, and generally got to know how each other works.

"For me it was a new experience having never presented racing before, which is why I was very keen to do this and it's why I was delighted the hierarchy at ITV and ITV Sport agreed to let us do this –who knows, we might even do another," said Chamberlin after their mock broadcast had ended.