Television coverage of the Vodafone Derby could return to the BBC next year, it emerged yesterday.

As a result of the apparent success of the Go Racing consortium in the battle for racing's media rights, the Epsom Classic is set to be shown on the corporation for the first time since 1981.

The Derby has been broadcast on ITV and then Channel 4 for the past 19 years, during which period the race has failed to recapture its former status as one of the country's biggest events.

And Epsom is keen to boost viewing figures for the age-old contest, which will be run for the 222nd time on June 9th, 2001.

"We want the Derby to be a national event rather than a horse race and getting a bigger audience is the key to that," course managing director Sue Ellen said.

"We have been very, very happy with Channel 4 but the key to the Derby is trying to increase the audience.

"Nothing has yet been signed or finalised but the understanding is the Derby will go to the BBC.

"The Channel 4 contract has another year to run but the Go Racing package takes effect from February so next year's Derby will be on the BBC."