Firms asleep re Fred Winter- Disgrace

I don't think there are "odds-compilers" anymore. They just use software to track betfair. It really makes me smile when they refer to their traders back in the office pricing up the races.

some firms are still offering 5/1 (fav)for simonsig  in the supreme even though its been stated he goes for the neptune

There certainly are odds compilers. They have three drivers to determine price:

1. Their own opinions
2. Their current liabilities
3. Their competitor's prices (most notably Betfair)

Of the three, their own opinion is the least important in terms of it's influence on the quoted price.
I agree that they should take some prices down but for horses like Simonsig then the approach should be to still quote a price for the Supreme but with a warning next to the odds that the horse is a doubtful runner.

i dont mind them still quoting a price as there is an outside chance he still may run
but 5/1 is ridiculous
especially when other firms have taken him off of their books altogether

This has been going on for years on pre race markets with numerous bookies.

some so slow its laughable.
its very easy for,even an experienced punter,to miss news of withdrawals etc
the books have no excuse as it should be their business to know,and if they don't they are either incompetant or ignorant or just taking advantage.imo all 3.