Ascot U-turn likely over TV rights

A week today the flagship meeting of the British Flat season will burst into life with packed crowds and a massive television audience on BBC and via one of two dedicated racing channels available to digital viewers.

But as preparations for Royal Ascot continue, it seems increasingly clear that chief executive Douglas Erskine-Crum and his team are under strong pressure to perform a dramatic late U-turn on the issue of television rights.

Ascot has provoked widespread criticism from the rest of Britain's top tracks by agreeing to assign picture rights to the Sky-backed At The Races as opposed to Racing UK, which was launched by 31 racecourses 10 days ago with the intention of ensuring the sport controls its own financial destiny.

However, all the signs suggest a movement to reverse the decision is gathering momentum.

Influential figures at the Jockey Club are believed to be firmly in favour of Ascot changing sides, while insiders suggest several top trainers have written to Ascot urging them to side with Racing UK rather than ATR.

Much will depend on the outcome of an assessment of the relevant business plans conducted by the Queen's stockbrokers Cazenove, but Ascot PR chief Nick Smith reported that tomorrow could be a key day in resolving the issue.

"We have been in a period of exclusive negotiations with At The Races, but nothing was ever signed," he said. " We are awaiting results of research carried out by a company with vast experience and will be in a position to say something more concrete tomorrow."

An eleventh hour switch by Ascot would come as a massive blow to At The Races, who were banking on following this Friday's relaunch on digital channel 415 by showcasing the world's most prestigious Flat meeting next week.