A North Yorkshire racecourse boss today cast doubt on claims that new regulations for horse racing will be beneficial.

Michael Hutchinson, who runs Ripon Racecourse, spoke out against radical plans by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) to change the face of the Sport of Kings.

The OFT could re-shape British racing dramatically after the Government body ruled that the British Horse Racing Board (BHB) and the Jockey Club were involved in "anti-competitive practices".

Industry speculation has suggested that the ruling, if implemented, would actually bring racecourses and racehorse owners closer together.

It would allow racecourses to increase their decision making, allowing them greater control over fixtures, data, prize money and negotiations.

But Hutchinson is fearful that small independent courses, such as Ripon, could become isolated as bookmakers negotiate with chains that own a number of facilities, such as United Racecourses.

He also fears that smaller courses could be "picked off" if bigger courses decide to hold more regular meetings at the sport's showpiece times.

He said: "It is not yet very clear what the final outcome might be. But I think the implications would leave us a bit isolated.

"We have struggled all these years, we have got a system which works, and now we have to start all over again.

"The fear is that we are a small course and if courses like York were able to hold racing every Saturday, that would mean death to us."

The BHB, in a statement, reacted angrily to the raft of proposed changes, with chief executive Greg Nichols saying it would lead to a "free-for-all" in British racing.

He said: "We are not inflexible and autocratic. But there needs to be a central governing body. Racecourses anywhere cannot choose when they want to race.

"We provide a model that allows people to make a profit while ensuring the prestige of racing is not damaged."

The BHB has until June 24 to respond to the OFT report.

Hutchinson added: "I would hope to see a degree of restraint.

"The report appears to have been written by people who have no understanding of the way horse racing works.

"I can't see it being any great advantage to smaller courses like ourselves."

Updated: 10:58 Saturday, April 12, 2003