when is a horse a non runner in a flat race
is it before it has been put in the stalls?
or at the start before it has gone into the stalls
or when its in the stalls under starters orders ?
If the horse is actually placed in the stalls, becomes fractious or panicky and is then taken out, it is deemed to have been 'withdrawn - not under orders'. Which is basically the same as being a non-runner. Once under orders, the horse is deemed to be a runner, even if it fails to leave the stalls. Some firms will refund stakes on such horses, usually as free bets.