THE Jockey Club last night pledged to "consider very carefully" claims by a BBC undercover documentary that some trainers are happy to see their horses lose.

But officials said they had misgivings over allegations made by the programme - part of the Kenyon Confronts series They Stop Horses Don't They? Among them was the claim that punters are regularly misled because some horses are run to finish down the field.

Last night's programme prompted an outcry from race fans, who consider some of the "revelations" to be part and parcel of the sport.

It cited instances of horses being run over the wrong distance or on unfavourable going - neither of which are against the rules of the sport, although a novice punter may not know such a horse would not be expected to go well.

The programme showed North Yorkshire trainer Ferdy Murphy being quizzed by undercover reporters and describing how to have a horse "stopped at home".

Mr Murphy, who runs stables near Middleham, was out of the country yesterday and could not be reached for comment.

However, it is understood that he and fellow trainers Jamie Osborne and David Wintle, who were also secretly filmed, deny any wrong-doing.

The trio claim their comments were either misinterpreted or taken out of context.

Reporter Paul Kenyon said: "I hope it is taken seriously by the Jockey Club. After all, the rules say all competitors should be trying to win and it cannot have it both ways.

"It should either take action to stamp this sort of thing out or change the rules to acknowledge it happens."

Jockey Club spokesman John Maxse said: "We are concerned about how the public may view the sport in light of the way in which Kenyon Confronts has attempted to portray it, and in particular the covert filming of conversations with trainers.

"We intend to consider very carefully the contents of the programme before announcing whether or not there will be any further action."

Director of Regulation Malcolm Wallace said: "In our response to Kenyon Confronts, we made our commitment to protecting the punter very clear. Confidence in the integrity of the sport is vital, and if the public are being deceived or defrauded, action must be taken.

"Let there be no misunderstanding, if a horse is ridden with the intent of deceiving the public about its true ability to achieve the best possible placing in a particular race, an inquiry will be held and action taken against the jockey and trainer."