Racing has its problems and it's up to racing to solve them

British racing is facing difficult issues magnified by the Covid-19 lockdown. Racing’s default position is always to look for outside help from the government while failing to address problems that it could sort itself. That does not mean the two important issues where the ­government could help should not be addressed.

The first is the levy. As competition among bookmakers has grown, online margins have shrunk. A levy based on gross profit is outdated and the answer must be to base the levy on turnover. It would be fairer and also benefit betting shops that have suffered so badly in lockdown.

The effect on the major bookmakers would be minimal, as British racing is now a small part of their core business compared to their massive worldwide business.