Ladbrokes has joined Coral bookmakers and signed a five-year contract with horseracing broadcast service Turf TV. The move instantly puts pressure on rival betting firms William Hill and Betfred to negotiate a deal with Amalgamated Racing, a joint venture between a number of the UK's racetracks and Alphameric.

Alan Morcombe, Alphameric chief executive, said he was delighted Ladbrokes had decided to sign up.

"Within a year of launching the business, Turf TV has now signed up a good majority of the Licensed Betting Offices in Great Britain and Ireland," he added.

The signing brings the total number of licensed betting offices showing Turf TV to more than 6,000.