Responsibility for non-runners often lies with trainers themselves

In respect of the BHA proposals regarding non-runners, as a syndicate member and racegoer I feel it is about time.

I understand trainers must put their owners and horses first, but it has been clear for some time that a few have had a far too casual attitude towards making declarations and then declaring late non-runners on the basis of unsuitable going, when in many cases the going is exactly the same as it had been for the previous two days.

There must be some regard for the racing public and punter. With big handicaps it has become a pointless exercise analysing a race the day before, or even early on the morning of the race.