Clare Balding yesterday played down reports that she is set to take over as BBC Television racing correspondent after Julian Wilson retires. She has been widely tipped as the successor to Wilson, who has announced that he is to end his 32-year run in the job at the end of the year.

The BBC Radio 5 Live presenter, daughter of trainer Ian Balding, hosted the new morning preview programme First Show during Royal Ascot last June.

Reacting to speculation over a possible promotion, Miss Balding said: "I would be daft to say I didn't want to do it, but I don't think anyone could succeed Julian in his all-encompassing role.

"I will never know as much as Julian, who has a mind like an encyclopaedia - I will never have that push-button knowledge.

"I don't know what the BBC are planning to do. I know I will be working next year and I love my work on TV, but I don't know what I will be doing and I have plenty of other things outside television."

It is only recently that women have become involved in television coverage of racing.

Lester Piggott's daughter Tracey has worked on the BBC and is a regular presenter on RTE in Ireland, while Lesley Graham, wife of trainer Neil Graham, is part of the Channel 4 team.

Explaining the trend, Miss Balding said: "I think it is a way of broadening the audience, which sounds like a simple answer but isn't.

"I am a great believer that if you are not good enough, it doesn't matter whether you are male or female."