Every day a new farce in UK racing.

What was the reason for a flag start

They should have the tapes like they used to have     

That chappie from Laddies knows what ees doing.

salmon -

1950 Lincoln Handicap

40 Runners perfectly IN LINE - and stand STILL - at the TAPE - for the Start.

23 Seconds into Video...

http://www.britishpathe.com/video/lincoln-opens-flat/query/lincoln+handicap

I don't remember that one onlooker but I do remember tape starts. Just. Given that in a few handicaps they had to deal with HUGE fields I don't remember them being noticeably less equal than they are from starting gates.

Sprinters. Flag start. Apprentice jockeys. What could possibly go wrong?

2nd fav wexford refused
should leave it to Gigginstown

Neither do I - salmon - Blimey

1948 was the record field - 58 Runners

1966 there were 49 Runners - so they, apparently,  started in TWO lines

Whether that was 1 to 25 in the front line and 26 to 49 in the back line - or  - say -

Odd numbers in front - Even numbers second line -  I do not know ( but could check the Form Book, later)

Phil Bull's well-backed Karelia had to start from the second row.
Finished close up - he was, apparently and understandably, not happy.

i'm pretty sure that starting stalls weren't used when Charlottetown won the Derby,but think they were the following year when one of my favourite horses Royal Palace won.

Onlooker/Salmon - A complication we do not have to consider today.  I recall my Uncle Jack saying "Not that one boy, the horse needs a jockey who's good at the start".  Never did get a list or even recall one who was good or one who wasn't. He liked Smirke, but then who didn't except those upstairs.