More non-runners since 48-hour declarations

I read with interest the results of the BHA investigation into the large number of non-runners which blight our sport.

This problem has increased several-fold since the introduction of 48-hour declarations. In a country in which the weather is unpredictable I am still not clear as to the advantage of declaring fragile athletes for a race two days before it is due to take place.

If all the racing surfaces were artificial and constant then surely the number of non-runners would reflect it, but they are not and until an official body is put in charge to assess the going correctly and in a professional way the non-runners will continue.