National TV coverage is under threat

The row over the collapse of the £307m Attheraces pictures deal which has rocked racing took another worrying turn today when it was revealed that terrestrial coverage is also under threat unless agreements are reached in the next 60 days.

The date of 29 March is when the current deal will expire after Attheraces used a getout clause relating to reduced Tote margins in order to nullify a 10-year deal which is less than two years old.

The Martell Grand National is scheduled for 3 April, and Aintree MD Charles Barnett told today's Racing Post of his fear that the world's most famous race could end up with no agreement in place for terrestrial television coverage.

"I'm not aware of the details of the contracts between Attheraces and the television broadcasters, but I expect them to be co-terminus with Attheraces' racecourse contracts," he said.

"If that's the case, we wouldn't have a contract with the BBC."

The Cheltenham Festival takes place just before the 60-day notice period to terminate the contract ends, but MD Edward Gillespie is equally concerned about the uncertain times which lie ahead.

"Beyond the 60-day period there are no deals and racecourse have to put contracts in place from the end of this period to secure terrestrial coverage. Our April meeting is now exposed and I'm aware of people needing to talk to us fairly quickly."