Henderson relieved at common sense on walkover but another archaic issue remains

It was like watching The Comedy of Errors, but unfortunately there was no sign of Shakespeare or the dual Champion Hurdle winner from the 1970s for that matter.

Instead, British racing’s latest farce played out at Huntingdon last Sunday as the clock ticked down to Cheltenham Festival winner Pentland Hills taking on the previous season's Dovecote Hurdle winner Aucunrisque.

Both were set to make their chasing debuts, although Aucunrisque's trainer Chris Gordon had been entirely transparent he would only run his horse if the ground were not too firm.