In industry’s hottest seat as the Fobt storm gathers

The focus of attention for the hundreds of racegoers crowded around the parade ring at York last month would have been the equine stars being led round before they took to the track.

So only the eagle-eyed among them would have seen something that just a few months ago would have seemed deeply unlikely as Ladbrokes Coral chief executive Jim Mullen and the BHA's leader Nick Rust met for a friendly chat.

For what has seemed like years racing and betting have fought on a range of topics, but the cold war between them has thawed rapidly recently.