Johnston was wrong, but he definitely said the right thing

Mark Johnston said a few things on Monday. A journalist asked him a few questions, he answered them in a reasonably provocative way - just what we journalists like - and then went back to training racehorses, something at which he is notably successful.

The questions were asked by a racing journalist, and the answers were published in racing's trade daily. They involved the topical subject of terrestrial broadcasting of the sport, something Johnston has a stake in through his business, something I have a stake in through my occupation, something you have a stake in through your interest in the sport. Johnston's opinions on racing are relevant. His opinions on Brexit, the state of the Scottish football team and whether your chewing gum loses its flavour on the bedpost overnight aren't germane here; we're not that bothered. Johnston on racing? Fair enough.

He said that ITV, when they take over terrestrial coverage of racing on January 1, should "get rid of all coverage of betting". Strong stuff. An interesting, provocative remark worthy of inclusion in the ongoing debate over what form the new broadcast will take.