WHAT should be done with the ratings of non-completers over jumps when it appears at least possible that they would have shown improvement had they stood up? This has been a bone of contention for a long time now.

There was disbelief in some circles that Slate House got raised officially after departing two out in last month’s BetVictor Gold Cup at Cheltenham. Going back further, most private assessors increased the rating of Might Bite after he fell at the last, when well clear, in the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase at Kempton on St Stephen’s Day in 2016, but, bizarrely, some did not. As has been pointed out here before, if you do not feel confident in gauging what might have gone on yourself, you do have the in-play betting to help you: Slate House was around 8/13 when falling, while Might Bite was 1/50. The relevance of this to recent events is that it is not altogether clear what would have happened had Samcro stood up two out in the Drinmore Novice Chase at Fairyhouse on Sunday, but he was, at the time, around 2/7 to win.