Coward Fights Corner Over Bbc Coverage

Horse racing continues to punch above its weight in terms of exposure on television, the sport's ruling body insisted yesterday. Nic Coward, chief executive of the British Horseracing Authority, was responding to recent criticism that not enough had been done to ensure continued coverage on the BBC.

Despite widespread fears that the broadcaster is intent on cutting back its racing output to just 13 days a year, Coward insisted that no such decision had yet been taken. "Negotiations are ongoing between the courses, Racing UK and the BBC and others and, although some are pretending otherwise, no one knows what the outcome of those negotiations will be," he said. "We are not involved in the negotiations, but there are people out there, racing's team if you like, who are pressing the case for the sport in a complex environment.

"Racing has some of sport's biggest moments and, of course, we want them taken to the biggest possible audience. But let's get this straight, our big moments are covered on terrestrial TV - BBC and Channel 4 are a great shop window and racing has more terrestrial coverage than any other sport.

"Let's not forget the fact all our sport is covered with ATR and Racing UK doing an amazing job. We all have to understand the pressures the BBC and others face."

The Earl of Derby, patron of the Horserace Writers' Association, has been among those this week to deplore the suggested BBC cutbacks. According to one source, the reaction has already been sufficiently strong to persuade the BBC to restore at least two of the days which had been marked for rejection.

Officials at Wetherby are "reasonably hopeful" that the course will pass an 8am inspection. They hope to stage an eight-race card including the Fighting Fifth Hurdle, held over following the abandonment of Newcastle last weekend.