Tote bidders to discover who is first past the post

The race for the Tote, the state-run bookie, should have a winner this week, as the Government decides between the two runners.

Sports Investments Partners, a consortium run by Sir Martin Broughton, a former Liverpool FC chairman, is running neck-and-neck with turf accountant Betfred. Sir Martin has secured private equity backing from Oakley Capital and will float the Tote should he win. Both bids are expected to value the Tote at around £200m.