Non runners

Six millimetres of rain with the prospect of three or four more before racing and we have trainers withdrawing their horses with gay abandon.

This is horseracing's equivalent of the Goldilock's effect. Yesterday we had non-runners because the ground was too firm, and now we get a splash of rain and it's too soft. Sariska dotted up in bottomless going in Ireland last year with Jamie Spencer motionless. Her victory in the Musidora last year was on good to firm ground, so what is perceived to be the problem?This trip would be a bare minimum for her but surely rain has to increase her chances not decrease them?

Four non-runners in the first race, all of them related to the ground. The opportunity for trainers to abuse the self certification process is surely one of the more ridiculous things ever thought of by the BHA.

Right, I feel better for that.