What are "exceptional circumstances"? One owner’s gold cup today at Cheltenham might be another owner’s at a wet Hexham in the middle of winter. The rules of racing are there for a reason and should be applied consistently.
If this were to happen on the all weather and a coup was landed the usual stink would be kicked up. I accept there is no coup today but it doesn’t sit well with me.
The original jockey jocked up (Davy Russell) is
known
(or suspected) to have a spontanious punctured lung. That’s "exceptional circumstances" in my book. If the jockey can’t make it because of anything comparitively minor etc would not be "exceptional".
Davy Russell missing good rides yesterday another factor.
Value Is Everything