Top bookies including Sky Bet and Paddy Power will refuse to offer odds at Bath Races on Wednesday as a media rights dispute takes place.

A Flutter spokesperson told national press: “Sky Bet and Paddy Power have made a commercial decision to remove Bath from tomorrow’s (Wednesday’s) offering.

“This decision has been reluctantly made due to the increase in costs associated with certain aspects of our Horse Racing proposition.

“Total media rights payments from operators stand at more than double that of the Horserace Betting Levy – the industry’s direct funding mechanism – this at a time when the funding of the sport remains a critical item of debate.

“Flutter remain huge supporters of horse racing; in the last year we invested over £140m into the sport via media rights, levy, sponsorship and marketing; we are principle sponsors of ITV Racing; flagship sponsors at York and Cheltenham; partners of Go Racing In Yorkshire; founders of the Sunday Series; we work closely with the PJA, IJF and the Horse Welfare Board; and next month we are unveiling the exciting new Horse Racing documentary series funded by Flutter.”