It has made its name covering primarily soccer and GAA but Irish broadcaster Setanta Sports is preparing to take to the gallops shortly.

Company owner Mickey O'Rourke told me this week that the company has signed a deal with Racing UK to provide coverage here from the top horse racing meetings in Britain, including the Grand National at Aintree and the Cheltenham festival.

Coverage will be provided on Setanta Ireland, which is carried on UPC's basic cable TV package. "It's something we haven't done before but we're looking forward to it," O'Rourke said.