Non-runners and self-certification: we just don't live in a perfect world

I write in response to the BHA’s recent legislation regarding non-runners in Britain and the decision to prevent anyone above the 14 per cent threshold on the Flat and 12 per cent over jumps from having the freedom to self-certificate their horses.

As the wife of Ben Haslam – one of the trainers affected – some may see my point of view as biased, but it also gives an insight into how this affects a smaller yard from a personal, and recently emotional, viewpoint.

In a perfect world, there would be no non-runners. No punter would have to suffer the terrible loss of a betting deduction. Field sizes would be as they are declared and all horses would return home safe and sound.