‘It’s not a sin to have a bet and wear what you like’ Lee Mottershead,

EVEN when you think something is slam-dunk obvious, it is inevitable there are those who will disagree. In saying that, I’m not talking about the big questions, like the outcome of the next general election, the wisdom of Brexit, the merits of Scottish devolution or whether Energumene can bounce back in the Champion Chase. On all those subjects, there will be many who think one thing and plenty who think something else, both sides of the argument absolutely certain their position is correct.

Sometimes, however, you assume there will be consensus, only to be surprised.

From my perspective, the Jockey Club’s decision to consign racecourse dress codes to history was filled only with positives. The concession to keep morning dress and formal attire obligatory in the Queen Elizabeth II Stand on Derby day was a perfectly understandable nod to tradition and the premier Classic’s historic standing. In addition, items of clothing that might cause offence or trigger trouble continue to be outlawed. All good, surely?

Nobody is being denied anything, in that the Jockey Club has not sent out instructions that men must no longer wear suits or that women are forbidden from donning hats.

If you enjoy the opportunity to dress smartly – I’m one of those who does – you absolutely still can, but you can also admire the 2,000 Guineas paddock scenes in a polo shirt and shorts, safe in the knowledge you are breaking no rules and remain highly unlikely to upset Little Big Bear and Chaldean by shunning a collar and tie.

Given the Jockey Club’s move additionally brings racing into line with its other main rivals in the leisure market, it seemed to me – and very much still does – to be only a win-win, yet to some it was a loselose.

After using Twitter to express support for the axing of the dress code on those Jockey Club racedays where one still remained, a highly respected member of the fashion industry responded to express her disagreement. It was an entirely cordial and respectful exchange, but I was slightly taken aback to read someone criticising the sartorial development on the basis that she enjoys to be at places where “people have to make an effort and won’t be kitted out in denim or sweats”. That’s fine, but why should others have to dress up simply so that someone else won’t feel down?

A parallel can be drawn with the debate about whether BBC Radio 4’s Today programme should retain the extremely short racing tips segments that come at the end of the hourly sports news sections.

If the BBC simply feels the tips are a waste of (very little) time, they are more than entitled to retire them. If, however, the internal discussions about dropping the tips are linked to the fact some dislike them for ethical reasons, it’s a completely different matter.

In an earlier Twitter conversation, I argued it would be “absolute madness” to axe the tips on grounds of principle. In response, a theological author, former chaplain and ex-BBC employee claimed public service broadcasting should not be compatible with even “a gentle encouragement to gamble”.

THAT assertion, I suggested, implies there is something inherently wrong with gambling? “I believe there is,” he said, describing that stance as “a fairly mainstream, historic/long-standing Christian view”.

Quite how mainstream his view really is, I’m not sure, but it shines a light on why gambling has been such a hot topic for a number of years. There is no doubt bookmakers have not helped themselves by embracing fixed-odds betting terminals and so eagerly marrying betting with gaming, but it makes no sense for anyone to use those errors as a justification for denouncing gambling as an activity. Regrettably, some of gambling’s loudest critics surely would wish to have it kept out of polite society. Their concerns are not solely about problem gambling – they have a problem with gambling.

‘Betting on racing needs tobe embraced by the sport more than we see at the moment’

With that in mind, I’m grateful to former Horserace Bettors Forum chair Colin Hord (below), who thought it would be useful to send me an email in which he explained why, for him, and surely for many like him, betting on racing is not just an attempt to win money.

He described how the familiarity of the sport’s calendar provides a comforting definition of the four seasons and how each race stimulates “excitement, anticipation and interest”. He even put forward reasons why there can be gain in the pain of losing if the process of punting itself makes us happy.

“Most, in fact, the substantial majority, don’t win at betting, so many will ask why do it?” wrote Hord. “Why hand over your hardearned cash to the bookmaker? Although every individual’s experience is different, the reality for so many of us is betting on racing is a pleasurable experience, something that gives us a sense of purpose and maintains our mental health.

“Betting on horseracing also allows people who could never afford to be involved in the sport the opportunity to be a participant for the duration of the race. As punters, we invest in the horse and the jockey. On top of that, those few minutes of virtual ownership may lead to us becoming involved in a syndicate or racing club. Alternatively, we may be encouraged to go racing and see the beautiful animals competing in the flesh.”

In Hord’s defence of gambling, every word makes sense.

“Betting is not a dirty word,” he wrote. “Betting on racing needs to be embraced by the sport more than we see at the moment – and although betting probably won’t result in winning overall, trying to win can provide a lifetime of fun.”

I’m as certain of that as I am about the dress codes.