New era coming up on the rails

Their open books made life easier for the 'SP' (staring price) returners, whose job it is to decide all runners' odds from the prices offered by on-course bookmakers at the 'off' for the settlement of high-street betting shop wagers.

One of the pair of SP reporters working that day was David Smalley who is well respected within his trade. He noted the early signs of a trend feared by Tattersalls layers - that, with their rails rivals displaying prices (on boards that must only face the Members' enclosure) few people bothered to venture further into the ring.

But he advises punters seeking value on an outsider that it's still worth braving the Tattersalls crowds. "Although it's too early to say categorically, the rails bookmakers haven't been waging any price wars," he said. "They were pretty conformist and concentrated on the market leaders. So, for bigger prices, Tatts is still your best bet."

There is concern (again, too early to call for sure) that the rails are pricing up races early with books initially balanced unfairly in their own favour. Bookmakers with off-course outlets would have a vested interest in depressing the 'first show' of odds on course.

But the main losers from the rails' new status are undoubtedly Tattersalls bookmakers.

Many of them claim to have paid over the odds for their 'picks' (betting positions) because they were assured by the ring authorities that boards would not be allowed on rails.

They argue that their purchases have been devalued virtually overnight. The shrewd people were the ones who sold their Tatts picks high and snapped up bargains on the rails. Location, location, location is no longer just the cry of the estate agent. Indeed, despite arguments to the contrary, it's hard to see boards on rails creating a new breed of punter. It's far more likely to be wresting them from elsewhere, such as the Tote, on-course betting shops and Tattersalls.

And Smalley has some pretty stark advice for the Tatts bookies who are wondering where their future lies.

"Pray," he suggested. "There's not a lot they can do when part of their customer base has effectively been removed."

While it's too soon to sound the death knell to the ring's current layout, one option is the scattering of bookmakers around the race-course, as employed successfully in two locations near the parade ring at Cheltenham.

Although the Tote may protest, this at least gives bookmakers the chance to establish their own orbit of custom.

If it's not worth their while turning up, depleted pick numbers would only be of detriment to the punter.

But even that resource could be in danger given Customs' plans to replace off-course betting duty with a profits-tax on bookmakers, who will not be allowed to pass this charge onto their customers. For those lacking internet access to exotically based online firms with minimal or even zero deductions, the racecourse is currently the only place where you can bet tax-free in the UK.

Should its unique standing be removed, then attendances at racecourses are likely to drop.

Big-hitters would be able to place tax-free bets at their local betting shops rather than having to trek down to Plumpton.

Although racing is more than just a betting medium, it may be that admission fees will have to be reduced.

Whatever, the impact on the on-course market remains to be seen.

Much has already happened to change the face of betting, but the revolution is barely out of short pants.