INBA call for cut

The Irish National Bookmakers Association (INBA) has called on the Government to halve the on-course betting tax from five per cent to 2.5 per cent.

At their annual dinner in Dublin last night, chairman Joe Donnelly said: 'It's about time that race-goers received something tangible back from the Government and the Irish Horseracing Authority (IHA).

'Halving the on-course betting tax to 2.5 per cent will greatly increase attendances at race meetings throughout the country and the additional revenue generated will also help to fund the provision of improved facilities.'

The Jockey Club sought to bring an end to the Top Cees affair yesterday by deciding not to reopen the case.

After considering the issues raised by the libel action brought by Jack and Lynda Ramsden and Kieren Fallon against Mirror Group Newspapers, the stewards ruled there are 'no grounds' for a further inquiry.

The Jockey Club's reaction was widely expected following the trio's award of damages totalling £195,000 in the High Court last week.

But it emphasised that in future a new protocol, to be introduced from the start of the Flat turf season, will make it easier to re-open inquiries under the Non-triers Rule 151 when offenders risk stiffer penalties.

The stewards also pledged to continue to issue private letters to licensed individuals and found 'no evidence of misconduct' among its stewards' secretaries.

Promising novice chaser Cheval de Guerre has been forced to miss the Royal & SunAlliance Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, revealed Kim Bailey. 'He slipped up on the road yesterday and won't go to Cheltenham now,' explained the Lambourn trainer. Irish hope Eton Gale has been backed at 50 to 1 (now 33 to 1) with Coral for the race.

French Holly came in for strong support for the Smurfit Champion Hurdle yesterday with Coral, who were forced to cut the novice to 14 to 1 from 16 to 1. French Holly's trainer, Ferdy Murphy, had intimated that the horse would take his chance in the Champion if the ground was soft enough, and yesterday's heavy rain may well have sparked the gamble.