The inaugural meeting of the Horseracing bettors forum will take place on 4 September 2015. The nine members who will comprise the forum were announced on Monday 17 August and include its chairman Simon Rowlands (Timeform) and Tanya Stevenson (Channel 4 Racing).
The purpose of the forum is to "deliver proposals and recommendations to the BHA and the BHA Racing and Betting Group for developments to British Racing that would be of benefit to the wider community that bets on British Racing".
http://www.britishhorseracing.com/bha/horseracing-bettors-forum/
Judging by the BHA's response to its role in the Speculative Bid shambles at Ascot and the publication of the results of its internal investigation, the forum will have its work cut out to improve the punter's lot.
In that publication the BHA said:
"Rule (B) 10.5.2
The Rule itself is a relatively new one, established to protect betting operators and bettors in the event that a horse is denied a run in particular circumstances. The fact that this was a relatively new (and little-used) Rule certainly contributed to its failure to be delivered effectively.
The BHA will review whether Rule (B) 10.5.2 should remain in place, or is in effect unwieldy to operate even in straightforward circumstances. The Horserace Bettors Forum, set to hold its first meeting next month, will be asked for its views in this area, and in relation to associated on-course announcements."
http://www.britishhorseracing.com/press_releases/bha-publishes-findings-of-internal-investigation-relating-to-speculative-bid-incident/
