Peddlers Cross visits Kelso to complete Champions build-up

Peddlers Cross is most certainly the headline act at Kelso today as he completes his Champion Hurdle build-up in the Victor Chandler Morebattle Hurdle.

Donald McCain’s star has been off the track since winning the rearranged Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newbury last November.

The six-year-old’s intended run at Haydock last month was thwarted by the weather, while plans to run at Sandown or Ffos Las at the start of February were shelved after the horse coughed.

Peddlers Cross is reported to be back on top form now, though, and even if he is not quite at the peak of his powers, this race should be his for the taking.

That said, similarly hot favourite Zaynar came unstuck here last year so Peddlers Cross may not be one to risk the mortgage on.

Alan Swinbank’s Priceless Art has rattled up a sequence in bumpers and starts his career over timber in the Kelso Members Novices’ Hurdle. It will take a smart one to beat him.

Meanwhile, Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt has set the terms of the levy for 2011-12 for between £73.7 million and £80.8m. Hunt’s decision takes into account submissions from both the racing and bookmaking industries, together with advice from the Government-appointed members of the Horserace Betting Levy Board. The Government is responsible for determining the 50th Levy Scheme, which funds British races, after the parties involved failed to reach agreement by the end of October last year.

To achieve this, a number of changes will be made from the terms of the last scheme with the headline rate of levy increasing from ten per cent to 10.75 per cent.

The threshold level under which betting shops pay a reduced rate of levy will come down from £88,740 to £50,000.

There will be no change to the scheme in relation to foreign racing.

As the Levy supports British horseracing, it has been decided to collect it only from bets on races taking place in England, Scotland and Wales. “It is really disappointing that two important industries have been unable to come to a sensible commercial agreement,” said Hunt.

“I have tried to be fair by listening to the advice of the independent members of the Levy Board and I will continue to be guided by their advice in future years until what should be a straightforward commercial negotiation can be taken permanently out of the hands of ministers.

“I am grateful to the Government-appointed members of the Horserace Betting Levy Board and both interested parties for their submissions.” Michael Harris, chief executive of the Racecourse Owners Association, said: “The result is like the curate’s egg – good in parts. We are obviously pleased to hear that the headline rate has been increased, but disappointed that the thresholds were not totally abolished and that a return to levy being paid on foreign racing was not supported.”