Captain Teague cantering a furlong was an embarrassing moment for racing - and this archaic rule needs changing

Ridiculously short-priced favourites and uncompetitive fields are off-putting enough but nothing takes the wind out of your sails like a walkover.

On Friday, last year's Challow winner Captain Teague secured a prize of almost £22,000 when the Future Stars Novices' Chase, one of the main supporting events on the track's biggest day of the season, was reduced to a walkover after two of the three declared runners were withdrawn.

It was a regrettable situation, made even worse by the fact it occurred in a reasonably high-profile £40,000 race – albeit one with a history of small fields – in front of a no doubt bemused ITV audience who tuned in for a premier meeting, designed to showcase the very best of British racing.