Super 12 chief executive Kim Deshayes remained "optimistic" today that Channel 4 will not pull out of a £225million deal for the media rights of Britain's leading racecourses.
Channel 4 are reported to be considering withdrawing their offer because of the lack of progress in the deal. That recommendation could be put forward at a board meeting on Thursday.
The £225m 10-year bid to the Super 12 that includes Ascot, Epsom and Newmarket was made by a consortium of Channel 4 BBC and NTL.
The deal includes a digital racing channel, which would also involve the 47 non-Super 12 racecourses.
Deshayes remains hopeful that a solution agreeable to all parties will be found.
"The present position is that Channel 4 have not pulled out and obviously we are continuing to have a regular dialogue with them," he said.
"Equally we are aware that there is a Channel 4 board meeting this week at which they no doubt will be discussing the present position and the best way to move forward.
"It's really a matter of continuing to discuss the situation with them but being sympathetic to the frustration they have at the slow pace of progress.
"It is fair to say they were are still optimistic that the right solution will be found for racing.
"I would hope it would very much involve Channel 4 and all of the racecourses.
"There has to a terrestrial solution that provides both a continuation of the terrestrial coverage that racing gets and that's vital in terms of turnover, sponsorship and so on in showcasing the sport but also promoting these new interactive services.
"We have to find a formula that works for all the racecourses and the whole of racing."
The Super 12 courses are: Aintree, Ascot, Cheltenham, Doncaster, Epsom, Goodwood, Haydock, Kempton, Newbury, Newmarket, Sandown and York.
