The Ladbrokes betting chain have vigorously defended their decision not to absorb the new two per cent betting tax in Ireland themselves and will meet with other bookmakers to discuss the issue next Wednesday.
"There will be discussions between all interested parties to try and get some sanity back into what we're saying. There is a strong element of smoke and mirrors here," said Ladbrokes spokesman Mike O'Kane yesterday.
He was speaking on the back of the post-Budget decision by Paddy Power and Boyles bookmakers to absorb the new two per cent rate themselves from May 1st.
"There seems to be a rush between Powers and Boyles to outdo each other but while a no tax headline might look good, it's slightly more complicated than that.
"Nobody will know their position costs-wise until they know what the charges from the British Horseracing Board will be and we won't know that until May.
"Any independents we've spoken to say they can't afford to absorb the tax and pay the BHB charges. It's not feasible to do both," said O'Kane.
In separate news, the Turf Club senior steward, Ray Rooney, met with the Minister for Agriculture, Joe Walsh, yesterday to discuss the fall-out from the Government decision to create an extra Horse Racing Ireland board seat for a union nominee.
The meeting was described as "constructive" by the Turf Club chief executive, Dennis Egan, but the Government move will have to be approved at an upcoming Turf Club members meeting if the transfer of the Registry Office to the new HRI is to go ahead.
"The meeting was constructive and I think both sides knew where the other was coming from," Egan said.
Today's racing action is at Clonmel where the Opportunity Handicap Hurdle could provide a good bet in the shape of Aimees Mark. Since her last hurdle start, Aimees Mark has won a Roscommon bumper and been placed in two others, including when third to Ballyhampshire Boy at Galway.
Discerning Air emerged best of the rest behind Ollar Rose over the mares beginners chase course and distance last time while Just Our Job looks just the job for the other novice event.
It now looks odds-on that Istabraq will make his seasonal bow at Leopardstown at Christmas.
Legendary owner JP McManus, who was at Sandown yesterday to watch one of his horses, Rith Dubh, finish third in the Wolsey Novices' Handicap Chase. said: "You'd better talk to Aidan but I'm sure the plan is for him to run at Kempton only if Leopardstown is off.
" I'm sure he'll be going to Leopardstown. I think there's only one race that Istabraq has been entered for which he hasn't run in before. He tries to save my money!"
Sakhee, impressive winner of the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe-Lucien Barriere at Longchamp, has scooped the prestigious Hermes Flat Horse Of The Year Award for 2001.
