HRA tweak non-runner rule

The UK Horseracing Regulatory Authority has announced that with effect from Monday, the relaxation of the rule involving withdrawing a horse due to "unsuitable ground" will be withdrawn.

When the 48-hour declaration system was introduced, a rule was announced that allowed trainers (or a representative) to withdraw a horse on account of unsuitable ground as long as they had walked the course, without the animal needing to be at the track.

Director of regulation Malcolm Wallace said: “We issued this relaxation at the same time as 48-hour declarations for Flat racing were introduced to avoid horses travelling to courses unnecessarily.

“Whilst we are confident that our relaxation of Rule 144 has not had a significant effect on the increase in non-runners, it has been in place for six weeks and we now have the opportunity over the remaining six weeks of the Flat Turf season to get some meaningful statistics for comparative purposes.

“We will then be in a position to assess the rule prior to the beginning of next year’s Flat Turf season.

In the event of a non-runner being declared, trainers could be fined under Rule 144 unless they have a valid vet’s certificate, there is a change in going on the day of the race from that which the trainer could have reasonably expected, the trainer considers the horse would be unsuited by the going - providing the horse is at the track – or any other satisfactory explanation to the stewards.