Stalls opening late

[Prufrock]

Could someone remind me what the situation is with regards to individual stalls opening late in Britain?

I think the race is not voided or the start deemed false unless someone in authority reckons it had a substantial bearing on the result.

I ask because there was an instance of it in Ireland last night, but it involved an outsider, so no-one seemed bothered by it.

[Prufrock]

For that matter, if anyone could tell me what the rules are governing such an incident in Ireland, I would appreciate it. Though fair starts to races do not seem to be high on the list of priorities for officialdom there.

[yeats]

I know there’s some sort of bizarre ruling here were a majority of the runners have to be advantaged for something to be done. Very much a grey area and requires greater clarification.
If a race is voided if someone in authority thinks the start had a substantial bearing on the result that would mean people would have backed horses with no hope of success, they could only lose or hope for a refund.

I’ve even heard it argued by pundits (Matt Doyle for one) that as the horse getting a flyer was a hold up horse it was irrelevant.
Personally I think it’s matter for the starter and nothing should be done retrospectively after the race.

[% MAN]

It is down to the starter in the first instance.

Rule 28 is the relevant one

28. (xii) (a) Should the Starter consider that through any faulty action of the Starting Gate or Starting Stall a fair start has not been effected he shall declare it a false start. The Starter may also declare a false start when a horse(s) has broken away before the race has been declared “Off”. Whenever a false start has been declared the Starter shall order the Riders, by means of a recall flag, to return to the Starting Post. [/color:21znka2o]

Of course there is nothing to preclude the Stewards ordering an Enquiry if they feel the starter has got it wrong.

Having looked elsewhere in the rules I cannot find a precise definition of what constitutes a fair start – then again teh rule book is 501 pages

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