Why does a late blindfold removal rarely mean a non-runner despite a compromised start?

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There are few things punters hate more than watching a horse they have backed lose all chance at the start, and a delayed blindfold removal is one reason it can happen. So, how common is that exact example in races run in Britain?

It was a subject that came to the boil at York's Ebor festival, with ITV pundit and former jockey Jason Weaver critical of Callum Shepherd after his mount, the gambled-on Checkandchallenge, suffered a poor start due to a delay in removing the blindfold he wore in the stalls.

"Howler, absolute howler" was Weaver's verdict, although Shepherd rejected the suggestion he had simply got the timing wrong. He said: "Just to point out that I put the blindfold on myself in the gates, so it was loose, not tucked in as is the case when loaded with one. I've not mistimed it and my hand didn't slip off it. Somehow it's got caught on the cheekpiece, maybe to its Velcro? I don't know."