Matt Chapman: I have proof punters don’t have faith in the BHA – let’s put the record straight once and for all

I EXPECT the BHA board to resign today. They have little choice.

In recent weeks, British racing has been transformed, mainly, it seems, because of polls and surveys.

The results of Chappers’ poll are clear to see

Now the BHA has denied me access to the questions of the survey that their chief executive keeps quoting.

So, I decided to do a little poll myself. I didn’t choose secrecy. I did it on Twitter. Open. Transparent. And damning.

I asked a very simple question. With no chance of it being misunderstood.

The results showed 83 per cent of the 3,246 people who voted are NOT content the BHA stands up for and has confidence in British racing.

BHA is an organisation that clearly takes these polls and surveys very, very seriously. So, after this, how can it survive?

Remember the BHA has caused chaos with new whip rules on the back of nine complaints over Ballabriggs in the 2011 Grand National, and roughly 500 people out of the whole country who wrote in and said they had issues with the whip.

Most read in Horse Racing

ANTE UP

Cheltenham Festival punter can win £1,000 without horse running thanks to £20 bet

HAR RAISER

Trainer humiliated after placing £2,000 bet on his horse for Cheltenham Festival

FIVER FLUTTER

Bash the bookies with these three longshots including a monster 33-1 pick

TEMPLEGATE’S TIPS

My NAP looks a steal at 7-4 after making a mockery of rivals last time

FIVER FLUTTER

Bash the bookies with these massive longshots at Naas and Fontwell

TEMPLEGATE’S TIPS

My NAP heads to Hereford in the form of his life after easy win last time

If you take nine calls seriously, how can you ignore the 2,843 (83 per cent) who voiced their opinion so damningly in my poll?

Now don’t get me wrong here, I fully understand polls on social media are far from bombproof. But it is what it is.

I’m pretty sure I know who will eventually get an interview with the chief executive. It won’t be me.

It will be a carefully chosen person, who no doubt will give every angle of every side and be very politically correct.

But I ask again here for the chief executive to do a live interview with me and publicly answer the questions that all of us racing fans want answers to.

If you remember, we are the ones that keep the industry going, as the punters who put money in.

I have asked publicly, while the BHA hierarchy hide away, secretly and seemingly unaccountable to anyone.

Hopefully they will remember it’s good to talk. Especially when you are clearly in need of help.

Silence is not good for your health – and definitely not the industry you are meant to be running.

FREE BETS GET OVER £2,000 IN SIGN UP OFFERS HERE

Commercial content notice: Taking one of the bookmaker offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. 18+. T&Cs apply. Begambleaware.org

Remember to gamble responsibly

A responsible gambler is someone who:

Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
Never chases their losses
Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed
Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk

Gamble Aware – www.begambleaware.org