British racing's rulers yesterday remained defiantly behind a rescue package for the sport despite the acrimonious resignation of their leader, Lord Wakeham.

Wakeham (65) decided to quit as a chairman and director of the British Horseracing Board after refusing to back financial plans which are due to be disclosed in full today. He described the proposals, designed to secure an extra £80 million a year, as a "wish list, not a financial plan."

But Matthew McCloy, who will chair today's industry committee forum at which the plans will be released, said: "It's quite clear that the arguments in the plans are compelling and stand up on their own, and the fact that Lord Wakeham is going won't make any difference to that."

Wakeham decided to walk away after a simmering row over his opposition to the financial plans.

He has come under fire from several members of the Board in recent weeks, including influential owner Peter Savill and owner-breeder Gerald Leigh.

Savill was not available for comment yesterday, but Leigh, who wrote a letter to the Racing Post last week criticising Wakeham's behaviour, was not surprised at the chairman's departure.

"I'd say it was inevitable because he was not supporting the work of his own sub-committee," he said.