Crews also targeted Kelleway for interrogation

"They are keen to see us and we are keen to see them because we are concerned about certain areas related to the methods they have been employing," he said.

"They have admitted to me that they visited Gay Kelleway, but we have had no contact at all with Kenyon Confronts."

Maxse added: "It shouldn't be a great surprise that people are trying to make programmes linking criminal activity to racing. In the past we know there have been links."

The Racing Post report claims that a "widely respected northern trainer" was earlier accused of having a 'non-loser' account with a bookmaker.

Recalling Friday's incident, Wintle told the paper: "I was leaving the parade ring when these people approached and pushed a camera and microphone in my face and shouted: 'You have fixed races, Mr Wintle. That is right, isn't it? You have fixed races.'"

Wintle says he did not respond and was pursued to the Tote Credit office, where the crew tried to film him through a window before being asked to leave.

Lambert, the clerk of the course, added: "There was a little scuffle in which one of the crew was left sitting on the ground as Mr Wintle sought refuge in the Tote Credit office."