Handicapping isn't a justice system, so it's right some non-finishers are raised

In 1934, shortly after his failed attempt to be elected governor of California, American writer Upton Sinclair wrote the now-famous idiom: 'It is difficult to get a man to understand something, when his salary depends upon his not understanding it'.

It is a phrase that often springs to mind when issues of handicapping arise in the racing media. The most famous recent example would be the Gigginstown-orchestrated pantomime over Grand National weights, but there are smaller examples sprinkled through everyday racing life. You will not need to read many race previews in the Racing Post to find a trainer or owner bemoaning a handicap mark.

Of course, almost all handicap ratings are subjective to an extent. Automated handicapping is a cause celebre in certain circles, but still comes up short far too often for us to think about removing the human hand anytime soon. And it barely needs spelling out to punters that where there is judgement, there is debate.