Hughie Morrison vents his frustration after Champion Hurdle false start

Hughie Morrison expressed his disappointment after he felt Not So Sleepy was hampered by the false start in the Unibet Champion Hurdle, weeks after a similar experience in the Betfair Hurdle.

It was the third false start of the day, following on from the Sky Bey Supreme Novices' Hurdle and Racing Post Arkle, and was met with a collective groan from the crowd.

The trainer made his feelings clear to the BHA's chief regulatory officer Brant Dunshea and, while recognising the difficulty for the starter, suggested there was little wrong with the original start.

"It's become a habit and I'm not the only person who will be unhappy about it. I know you've got a dilemma but as starts go that was all right," said Morrison, whose runner was eventually pulled up.

"The starter is under so much pressure he doesn't dare let them go unless they're virtually walking in and that's not going to happen in a two-mile hurdle. It's an impossible scenario for him. It's a recipe for someone who would take advantage of a standing start.

"If anybody breaks a canter it has to be a false start, that's very difficult to avoid unless you're in a flat line from a long way out."

Champion Hurdle result & replay

The BHA clarified the rules, explaining that the starter cannot let the horses go if a rider is going faster than a jig-jog, even if they are in a good line, to prevent them from gaining an unfair advantage.

The reason standing starts are used was also explained, it is to ensure only two attempts are needed to start a race, as experience shows jockeys often approach the tapes faster after a false start.

It was stressed that these rules were developed alongside the jockeys, who are reminded of procedures in their daily briefing and insisted the starter does not let them go if horses are coming in too fast.

The starters reviewed recordings of the false starts and were satisfied that no riders should be reported for contravening the starting procedures.

Read more:

Electric Epatante delivers birthday boy McManus a stunning ninth Champion Hurdle

Shishkin shows heart of a champion to win Supreme against all odds

Mullins blames jockey error for Benie Des Dieux defeat

From hospital woe to festival glory: fairytale win for The Conditional's owner

Did you know you can bet via the Racing Post? Sign in with your favourite bookmaker via the accounts button and bet directly from our racecards