Channel 4 have announced a new lunchtime programme, hopefully from January 2002, which will feature live racing daily.

This programme will feature showcase handicaps which were introduced in March 1998 as betting friendly races.

This new Channel 4 programme is set to be introduced as part of the recently signed media rights deal.

ARENA Leisure, who bought Folkestone for £3.25m in 1998, have put the future of the course in doubt following concerns over financial viability.

Once we allow the racecourse to close I can see others following. We must not allow courses to close.

YESTERDAY Newbury staged a claiming race on the American Standards, a mile event worth £12,000 added with the maximum claiming price of £50,000.

The idea by Mark Kershaw, one of the best clerks in the country, is to lift the profile of claiming races and attract better horses than normally associated with this type of race.

This idea can only give trainers and owners more opportunities for the badly handicapped horses. There should be more of them.

Redcar Sunday meeting saw crowds and plenty of runners. I can't help wondering why Redcar did not stage some of the abandoned meetings due to foot-and-mouth from Catterick and Carlisle.

They don't have a lot of racing, maybe more pressure should have been placed on their officials.

We must wonder what's going on at the Jockey Club following the sacking of Roger Buffham this week.

He was the head of Jockey Club security and was dismissed following an inquiry following allegations of serious misconduct. This yet again puts a bad light on racing.

TODAY we have a busy morning when we have the pleasure of welcoming the members of the Newcastle Racing Club and The Northern Echo Racing Partnership. I hope everyone enjoys their visit.

Column Published: Saturday, August 18, 2001