Punters could be put off racing by sub-standard technology, warns HBF chief

British racing is behind the times when it comes to its technological infrastructure according to the body which represents the interests of those who bet on the sport, with Saturday's unsatisfactory photo-finish image from Cheltenham cited as an example of where racing comes up short compared to other sports.

Run in fading light, the 2m Listed bumper which concluded Cheltenham's card on Saturday was shared between Elle Est Belle and Ishkhara Lady after the murky conditions left judge Guy Lewis unable to determine from the photo-finish image available to him whether either horse was actually in front.

That verdict surprised many on social media, as it did those exchange punters who supported Ishkhara Lady at 1.01 in betting on the photo, while Elle Est Belle was matched at 90 in running.