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Is it possible to find out what time a horse was declared a non-runner for a particular race, and what reason was given for its withdrawal?
I always say that if in a 17 runner field to begin with a horse is taken out purely on vet or ground reason then another owner or trainer prob gets a "brown envelope" from the odd bookie to make it a 15 runner event in the same way a 9 runner field becomes 7.
LGR,
All non runners taken out before the start of a meeting have to be reported to Weatherbys and the time of withdrawal is given on their website to the minute. But that’s only accessible by owners and trainers and the information is available the next day if you wanted to check back.
Once the meeting is under way, that procedure doesn’t apply as the trainer only has to inform the stewards – actually I think it’s the clerk of the scales that has to be notified.
The only place I know that gives the reason for a non runner is the Post and that doesn’t seem to be 100%.
NW,
I presume you have evidence to support that claim – or do you make a habit of accusing people of corrupt behaviour on the basis of hearsay?
AP
No not evidence but when it happens in fields of 8 and 16 runner events then you do begin to wonder and your mind can conjur things even if it is not true.
Perhaps i should have used the word allegedly incase i end up with a libel case againts me now,
No Neil, you should have used the expression "I’m talking b###ocks" instead. Only the most avid conspiracy theorists tend to promote the brown envelope theory; it’s utterly preposterous.
Quite right Rory, ridiculous, everyone knows 16+ runner handicaps are far too dangerous, except on Saturdays or course.
The following link may help:
Cheers Richard – a very useful link.
Over in Ireland when a horse is a non-runner they announce on course the reason why. That is something that rarely happens over here – it is something we should adopt.
I’m not the biggest fan of the large betting firms, but the stupid therory they pay off trainers and owners so they scratch runners to change place terms is up there with "Prince Philip killed Diana because she was pregnant with my grandchild" (as alledged by some shopkeeper from the middle east, not me).
Getting the courses to tell punters the reasons for a non runner isn’t likely to catch on, as it would mean regular PA announcements to the effect that their clerk of the course had been telling porkies about the going.
AP
i don’t for one moment believe bookies pay people to withdraw horses but i can believe that some horses are withdrawn to enhance the probability of a back or a lay on something else in the race
I think a higher degree of honesty is required at times…
E.g.
"Horse is not running today as the race it is entered in tomorrow has cut up badly and looks far more winnable."
I agree NV. Being serious, I’ve always though that being drawn 14 of 14 in certain races at Lingfield, Chester or the like, should be a perfectly acceptable reason to pull your horse out. Just to save the time, travel & the costs involved, when your horse has been dealt virtually no chance of winning. Sadly the authorities would not see it that way.
I agree NV. Being serious, I’ve always though that being drawn 14 of 14 in certain races at Lingfield, Chester or the like, should be a perfectly acceptable reason to pull your horse out. Just to save the time, travel & the costs involved, when your horse has been dealt virtually no chance of winning. Sadly the authorities would not see it that way.
Funnily enough I was only discussing the very same point the other day and the colleague I was discussing it with came up with a proper scientific name of the condition for the vets certificate – "Starting Stallitis"
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