The row over newspaper racecards has finally been resolved after the British Horseracing Board agreed to extend the current deal until 2007.

The disagreement came about after the BHB floated plans to raise the amount paid by newspapers to print daily racecards from �3,400 to an estimated �300,000 a year.

After a very public uproar from many leading national papers, some of whom dropped racecards and sponsors names in protest, the BHB backed down.

BHB chairman Peter Savill agreed to drop any demands for a price rise but said the decision would be reviewed when the current agreement reaches its conclusion at the end of next year.

However, the Newspapers Publishers Association were not satisfied with this and demanded a return to the status quo.

Several newspapers continued to drop sponsors' names from their racecards and the BHB has finally relented.

BHB chief executive Greg Nicholls welcomed an end to the saga.

"We are pleased that it has been resolved and we can look forward to working with newspapers to maximise the appeal of the game."

NPA director Steve Oram said: "The NPA notes and acknowledges the BHB press policy and its members will take this into account in their future individual dealings with the BHB.

"As far as the NPA is concerned the matter is now closed."