PJA chief questions 'trivial' non-runners following Altior controversy

Dale Gibson, executive director of the Professional Jockeys Association (PJA), has called for a tightening of the rules with regards to what he described as "trivial" non-runners relating to the ground.

Gibson, reacting to the late withdrawal of hot favourite Altior from Saturday's Betfair Tingle Creek at Sandown, said: "With the current economic environment, we need as many runners in the sport for the benefit of everyone. Personally, I think the whole thing needs tightening up to benefit the whole industry.

"A class racehorse with a high-profile following, highlights the need for a tightening of the rules. We don't mind when the ground has genuinely changed but when it hasn't from declaration time, it's too easy for that scenario to be allowed to continue."

He added: "Non-runners have crept up in National Hunt races since 48-hour declarations but the issue is when the ground either doesn't change or barely changes."

Dale Gibson: keen to see what measures can be taken to reduce going-related non-runners

Both the PJA and the Racecourse Association (RCA) are keen to reconvene with the BHA as early as possible to discuss what measures can be taken to reduce going-related non-runners.

Gibson added: "Flat turf non-runners have increased this year. I fully appreciate the BHA has had other things to contend with this year, however, the PJA and the RCA are keen to reconvene a going group early in the new year with the help of the BHA to tighten up on trivial non-runners due to ground."

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A spokesman for the BHA said: "Since the raft of major measures brought in three years ago, the non-runner rate has reduced considerably.

"However, it's an area we are constantly monitoring and should we begin to see concerning overall trends, either in ground-related non-runners or any other area, then we have the ability to revisit the current procedures and see if further changes would be beneficial."

Saturday's reports:

'We wanted to take on Altior' – reaction of Paul Nicholls after Tingle Creek win

Santini and Native River thwarted in Many Clouds Chase by outsider Lake View Lad

Allmankind puts in jumping exhibition as four-year-olds dominateHenry VIII

'He's a star' – Vieux Lion Rouge storms to second Becher win on fifth race run

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