Morris eager to learn of new non-runner comparative rate after BHA review

Patrick Morris, the trainer who made headlines in the autumn when it was revealed 24 of the 104 horses he declared between October 1, 2016 and September 30, 2017 were withdrawn, hopes his comparative percentage of self-certified non-runners has dipped when the BHA releases updated figures next week.

Morris, who trains not far from Haydock, was Britain's worst offender when statistics detailed in October showed he had operated at a 23 per cent non-runner rate – a number that puts him at risk of being suspended from using self-certificates for a year.

The first 12-month period of BHA scrutiny ended on Saturday and the regulator is due to reveal all.

Its rule states: "Any trainer with more than 100 declarations who has a non-runner rate of 50 per cent or more above the average in the 12-month period to March 31 will be suspended from using self-certificates for 12 months."

When his non-runner numbers were made public, Morris highlighted he trained a "bunch of cast-offs" with "all sorts of niggles and problems" and stressed the welfare of those horses must be paramount.

He added on Saturday: "I'm hoping it's improved and I have made an effort."

Behind Morris on the Flat list was Steph Hollinshead with a 20 per cent rate, while over jumps Mark Gillard weighed in at 15 per cent. Chris Dwyer and Colin Tizzard were the most effective performers in each category.

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