On-course bookmakers set to enter crucial talks with AIR next Tuesday

Irish on-course bookmakers worked as normal at Punchestown on Tuesday and will continue to do so for the next week, when crucial talks will take place with the Association of Irish Racecourses (AIR).

AIR have agreed to meet the Irish National Professional Bookmakers Association (INPBA) in Newbridge next Tuesday morning and prominent layer and INPBA chairman, Ray Mulvaney, is hopeful that progress can be made during those talks.

Mulvaney said: "AIR contacted me this morning and we will enter re-negotiation talks in the Keadeen Hotel next Tuesday morning. Any action we were thinking of taking will be put on hold until then," Mulvany said.

The bookmaker added: "We're hopeful that during those talks we can move forward and enter constructive negotiations."

The on-course bookmakers threatened to withdraw their services from meetings in a statement released on Sunday, which reminded racecourses that the betting ring cannot function without customers.

It also said that bookmakers were unhappy with race planning, the intervals between races, and also charges they pay to get into meetings.

Irish on-course bookmakers currently pay five times the admission fee – if it costs €20 to get into a meeting, bookmakers have to pay €100 to stand.

The INPBA have been frustrated by the lack of cooperation by AIR in recent meetings, but Mulvaney is hopeful that more progress can be made on the issues of concern.

Read The Lowdown from 8.30am daily on racingpost.com and the Racing Post app for all the day's going updates, news and tips