Racing be warned: ITV deal could be in jeopardy if bookies ban their own ads

It feels as though this column has been reporting on the tortuous journey to a new deal between ITV and racing since the day Ken Barlow first set foot on the cobbles of Coronation Street. The famous thoroughfare is sure to feature on the network next year, and racing almost certainly will as well.

Yet even after contracts are finally signed – which, for racing's sake, will hopefully now happen in the near future – there could potentially be a major bump in the road. There could potentially be a major bump in the contracts as well.

The Labour Party's former deputy leader Tom Watson is probably not a huge fan of racing. He is most definitely not a huge fan of the gambling industry, although he spoke constructively and sensibly when addressing the Ice conference last week. The now ex-member of parliament was one of the most sincere and effective campaigners in the fight to slash fixed odds betting terminals' maximum stakes. When discussing gambling, Watson has also tackled other areas with similar passion.