A sub-heading in a recent Racing Post suggested that nobody has any new ideas about restructuring British Racing on lines that make sense.

I’ll have a go: British Racing should be placed in the hands of Antony McCoy, Peter Savill, Niven Truesdale, Barry Hearn, plus Fred Done, who bought the Tote, and played it like a favourite violin for ten glorious years. These are not ordinary people: they are winners. Winners in top jobs will be something completely new on British Racing’s quarterdeck.

I suggest that the future should begin with the undertaking by the new management that all betting on horseracing in Britain will be handled by a new team introduced by the new racing authorities.

At this stage priority number one should be to ascertain which of racing’s major shareholders would support such a restructuring. In my opinion, if the boat floats and a quality crew is volunteering to sail it, set sail soonest. Alternatives? None.

WW1 didn’t stop our racing nor did WW2. If the going gets tough I have no doubt that international thoroughbred racing will help us put our house in order. It may take four years, like those two wars.

I think that the management should offer to stay on good terms with the government if possible, but should make it clear that during the last century (since Winston Churchill launched the Tote) the government has been no sort of friend towards racing. Racing’s new management would express the hope that the government will recognise its obligations with regard to a fine industry that will become a major asset to the nation if fairly treated.

Best wishes, DONEC (Andrew Simpson)