ITV wants to extend its racing contract now and the sport should say yes

The arrival of 2019 will coincide with two major developments on the racing television front, with two new incarnations of the sport's existing channels coming to life, but there could also be an even bigger development.

At the halfway point of its four-year deal with British racing, ITV wants to secure an early contract extension, which would guarantee free-to-air coverage of around 100 days a year until at least the end of 2024. The sport would be done a tremendous service if pens were soon put to paper and that might very well happen, but there is, however, one potential stumbling block.

Recent form makes clear if racing and ITV agree a new contract before the next Cheltenham Festival, as many hope will happen, the pace being set would be unusually quick.