Horse Racing Non-Runners Today

Horse racing non-runners today are horses that were declared to run but have subsequently been withdrawn or officially declared non-runners. Check the live table below for the latest non-runners from today’s UK and Irish horse racing.

Non-runners matter for more than the horse that has been withdrawn. They can change the betting market, Rule 4 deductions, each-way place terms, draw, expected pace and the overall shape of a race.

Today’s Horse Racing Non-Runners

Today’s Non-runners

As you can see, if you are wondering “which horses are non-runners?” we have you covered with live updates throughout the day. Our tables are regularly updated, so you have all the information that you need.st unfair betting losses.

Non-runners can be announced throughout the day, including close to the scheduled start of a race. Check again before placing a bet rather than relying on the runners declared earlier in the day.

You can use our today’s racecards alongside the non-runner information to assess the remaining runners, jockeys, trainers, weights, form and race conditions.

What Is a Non-Runner in Horse Racing?

A non-runner is a horse that was entered or declared for a race but does not ultimately take part as a runner.

Common reasons include:

• Injury or Illness
• Unsuitable Ground
• Veterinary Advice
• Travel Problems
• Changes In Race Conditions
• Problems Before The Start
• Withdrawal By Connections

There are also circumstances at the start where the Stewards can subsequently declare a horse a non-runner.

That distinction is important because a horse failing to compete properly does not always mean it will be treated as a non-runner.

Why Do Horses Become Non-Runners?

Horses are withdrawn for many reasons.

Injury or Illness

A trainer or veterinary professional may decide that a horse should not race because of a physical problem.

The horse’s welfare takes priority over its participation in the race.

Unsuitable Going

Ground can change significantly between declarations and race time.

Rain can turn good ground soft or heavy, while dry and windy conditions can cause a course to become quicker.

A trainer can withdraw a horse if conditions are considered unsuitable.

Understanding what the going means in horse racing helps explain why a change in the surface can alter running plans.

Veterinary Withdrawal

A horse can be withdrawn on veterinary advice at the racecourse.

This can happen before the horse enters the track or closer to the start.

Problems at the Start

A horse can encounter a problem around the starting stalls, tape or starting procedure.

The treatment of the horse depends on what actually happened and the applicable racing rules.

Other Reasons

Transport, administrative and other legitimate circumstances can also prevent a declared horse from running.

The important information for bettors is the horse’s official status rather than assuming why it has been withdrawn.

Can a Horse Be Declared a Non-Runner After the Race Starts?

Yes, in specific circumstances.

This is one area where older explanations of non-runners can now be misleading.

British racing rules allow the Stewards to declare a horse a non-runner where it has been denied a fair start and its chances have been materially affected in qualifying circumstances.

The rule applies to races starting from stalls and, since October 2025, races using other starting methods such as those used in Jump racing.

Examples can include a horse being denied the opportunity to start on equal terms because of circumstances outside its control.

The Stewards consider the individual incident.

This does not mean every horse that starts badly becomes a non-runner.

What Happens If a Horse Refuses to Race?

A horse that has been given a fair opportunity to start but refuses to race because of its own behaviour will not normally be declared a non-runner for that reason.

This distinction is crucial.

Imagine the tapes rise and a horse simply plants itself while the rest of the field races away.

The fact that it takes no meaningful part in the race does not automatically make it a non-runner.

The BHA has specifically distinguished this situation from one where a horse was denied a fair start for reasons outside its control.

Bet settlement therefore depends on the horse’s official status and the bookmaker’s published rules, not simply on whether it completed the race.

What Happens If a Horse Gets a Bad Start?

A bad start alone does not make a horse a non-runner.

Horses can:

• Break Slowly From The Stalls
• Jump Away Awkwardly
• Rear At The Start
• Lose Ground Through Their Own Behaviour
• Be Slowly Away
• Miss The Break

Those are racing events.

The Stewards have specific powers where a horse is denied a fair start and its chance is materially affected.

That is different from a horse simply starting badly.

Always wait for the official decision before assuming a bet will be void.

What Happens to Your Bet If Your Horse Is a Non-Runner?

For a conventional fixed-odds day-of-race horse-racing bet, a selection officially declared a non-runner will normally be void and the stake on that selection returned.

However, the exact treatment depends on:

• The Type Of Bet
• When The Bet Was Placed
• The Market
• Whether It Was Ante-Post
• Whether NRNB Applied
• The Bookmaker’s Published Rules

UK bookmakers are required to publish rules explaining how withdrawals and non-runners are treated.

This is why it is better to check the actual terms than assume every horse-racing bet follows identical settlement rules.

Are Non-Runner Bets Always Refunded?

No.

The most important exception is traditional ante-post betting.

If you place a conventional ante-post bet and the horse does not subsequently run, you can lose your stake.

That risk is one reason ante-post prices can differ from later markets.

However, a bookmaker can offer Non-Runner No Bet, usually shortened to NRNB.

Under NRNB terms, an eligible selection that does not run is void and the relevant stake is returned.

Do not assume a market is NRNB simply because the race is several weeks away.

The bookmaker needs to state that the concession applies.

What Does Non-Runner No Bet Mean?

Non-Runner No Bet means that if your eligible selection does not run, the bet is void and your stake on that selection is returned.

NRNB is particularly associated with major racing festivals where customers want to bet before final declarations.

You will often see it around meetings such as:

• Cheltenham Festival
• Grand National Festival
• Royal Ascot

Our dedicated Non-Runner No Bet page explains how the concession differs from ordinary ante-post betting.

Always check the individual market because NRNB does not necessarily apply to every race offered by the bookmaker.

Ante-Post Versus Non-Runner No Bet

The distinction is simple but important.

Bet Type	If Your Horse Does Not Run
Standard Day-Of-Race Fixed Odds	Normally void
Traditional Ante-Post	Stake can be lost
Ante-Post With NRNB	Eligible stake returned
Starting Price Bet On A Non-Runner	Void

The precise settlement remains subject to the bookmaker’s rules and the market on which the bet was accepted.

This is why the label attached to the market matters.

What Is Rule 4?

Rule 4 is a deduction that can apply to winnings on bets placed on the other horses in the race when a runner is withdrawn.

The withdrawal changes the market.

Suppose you back Horse A at 5/1.

A strongly fancied rival is then withdrawn before the race.

Horse A now has one fewer rival to beat and its chance of winning has increased.

If your original 5/1 price simply stood unchanged in all circumstances, you could hold a price based on a materially different race from the one eventually run.

Rule 4 provides a mechanism for adjusting eligible winnings to reflect the effect of the withdrawal.

Our full Rule 4 deductions page includes the deduction table and worked calculations.

Why Do Non-Runners Cause Rule 4 Deductions?

Rule 4 does not exist simply because bookmakers have to refund stakes on the withdrawn horse.

The more accurate explanation is that removing a runner changes the probabilities within the race.

This is particularly significant when the withdrawn horse was strongly fancied.

Imagine an eight-runner race containing an even-money favourite.

If the favourite is withdrawn, every remaining horse faces a substantially different contest.

The original market prices were created when that favourite was expected to participate.

A Rule 4 deduction adjusts eligible winnings to account for that changed market.

Does Every Non-Runner Cause a Rule 4?

No.

Whether a deduction applies and its size depend on the circumstances and applicable betting rules.

The price of the withdrawn horse is particularly important.

A very short-priced withdrawal can cause a substantial deduction because its removal has a major effect on the remaining runners’ chances.

A horse at a very large price has much less influence on the market.

The timing of the bet and withdrawal also matters.

Check the bookmaker’s settlement information if a non-runner affects a bet you have placed.

Rule 4 Example

Suppose you have:

£10 win at 4/1

Your potential profit before any deduction is:

£40

A relevant withdrawal subsequently results in a 20p in the pound Rule 4 deduction.

The deduction applies to the winnings rather than simply removing 20% of the entire return.

Original profit:

£40

20% deduction:

£8

Adjusted profit:

£32

Stake returned:

£10

Total return:

£42

Our bet calculator can account for Rule 4 when calculating horse-racing returns.

Can More Than One Rule 4 Deduction Apply?

More than one horse can be withdrawn after you place your bet.

Multiple withdrawals can therefore affect settlement.

This can materially reduce the eventual return from a winner, particularly where strongly fancied runners come out of the race.

Do not try to estimate a complicated series of deductions from memory.

Check the bookmaker’s settlement and use the relevant Rule 4 information.

Do Non-Runners Affect Starting Prices?

Yes.

A non-runner changes the composition of the race and betting market.

The market can reform after a withdrawal.

Prices on the remaining runners can shorten or otherwise change as the market adjusts to the new field.

The impact tends to be greater when a prominent horse is withdrawn.

Removing a 2/1 favourite from a race has a much bigger effect on the market than removing a 100/1 outsider.

Our horse racing betting odds section explains how prices reflect the market’s assessment of each runner.

Non-Runners Can Change Each-Way Place Terms

This is one of the most important consequences of a withdrawal.

Standard each-way terms depend partly on the number of runners.

A race that originally has 16 declared runners can lose runners before the start.

That can affect the standard number of places or place fraction under the applicable betting rules.

For example, the standard terms for a handicap with 16 or more runners are different from those for a handicap containing 12 to 15 runners.

The bookmaker’s terms and the point at which the bet was accepted matter.

Do not assume that the original field size will always determine settlement.

Our each-way betting guide explains how the win and place parts of the bet work.

What About Bookmakers Paying Extra Places?

Enhanced place offers add another layer.

A bookmaker might advertise additional places on a large-field handicap.

Subsequent non-runners can alter the race materially.

How the promotion is treated depends on its terms.

Check:

• Number Of Places Still Offered
• Place Fraction
• Minimum Runner Requirement
• Whether The Promotion Remains Valid
• How Non-Runners Affect The Offer

Our extra-place betting sites page explains why the headline number of places should never be considered without the accompanying terms.

What Happens to a Non-Runner in an Accumulator?

A non-runner in a conventional fixed-odds accumulator will normally be treated as a void selection and the multiple reduces accordingly, subject to the bookmaker’s rules.

For example:

Four-fold with one non-runner → three-fold

The odds for the void selection effectively contribute nothing to the return.

The remaining selections still need to win.

The same principle can reduce:

• A Treble To A Double
• A Double To A Single
• A Five-Fold To A Four-Fold

This is different from treating the non-runner as a losing selection.

Our bet calculator supports calculations involving non-runners and more complicated multiple bets.

What Happens to a Non-Runner in a Lucky 15?

A Lucky 15 contains:

• Four Singles
• Six Doubles
• Four Trebles
• One Four-Fold

If one selection is a non-runner, the combinations involving it normally reduce accordingly under conventional fixed-odds settlement.

For example:

A double involving the non-runner can become a single.

A treble involving it can become a double.

The four-fold can become a treble.

The single on the non-runner is void.

Our Lucky 15 calculator explains this settlement in more detail.

What Happens to a Non-Runner in a Forecast?

Forecast settlement requires more care than the old blanket statement that every forecast containing a non-runner is automatically refunded.

Forecast rules can differ according to:

• Forecast Type
• Number Of Selections
• Number Of Remaining Runners
• Operator Rules

UK betting operators are required to make their rules covering forecast bets and withdrawals available to customers.

Check those rules for the specific bet rather than assuming one universal outcome.

What Happens to a Non-Runner in a Tricast?

The same caution applies to tricasts.

A tricast involves predicting the first three finishers in the correct order.

A withdrawal changes the structure of that bet.

Some operator rules can reduce particular combinations, while others can result in void settlement depending on the circumstances.

The exact treatment should therefore be checked against the bookmaker’s published rules.

The previous assumption that every tricast with one non-runner automatically becomes a straight forecast should not be treated as a universal rule.

How Do Non-Runners Affect the Draw?

A withdrawal can alter the practical significance of the draw, particularly on the Flat.

Suppose a horse has been drawn between two strong front-runners.

One of those horses is withdrawn.

The remaining runner can now have more room leaving the stalls and face a different tactical situation.

At some courses, stalls can also be affected by withdrawals and race-specific starting arrangements.

The important point is not simply to look at the original stall numbers.

Reassess how the remaining field is likely to race.

Our horse racing draw guide explains why stall position should always be considered alongside field size, course configuration, pace and going.

How Do Non-Runners Affect Pace?

This can be more important than the change in betting odds.

Imagine a 10-runner race with two obvious front-runners.

One is withdrawn.

The remaining leader may now face little competition for the lead.

That can completely change the likely race shape.

Alternatively, the only habitual front-runner might be withdrawn, leaving a field containing nothing but horses that prefer to race patiently.

The expected pace could collapse.

Do not simply remove the non-runner from your shortlist.

Reanalyse the race.

Our horse racing pace bias and pace maps pages explain why the distribution of early speed matters.

A Non-Runner Can Change the Whole Race

Consider this simplified six-runner race:

Horse A: Front-runner
Horse B: Front-runner
Horse C: Prominent
Horse D: Midfield
Horse E: Hold-up
Horse F: Hold-up

Horse A is withdrawn.

Horse B has gone from expecting competition for the lead to potentially controlling the race alone.

That can help Horse B.

It can also hurt Horses E and F if they rely on a strong early gallop to bring their stamina into play.

The withdrawal therefore changes more than the number of runners.

It changes the tactical relationship between the horses that remain.

Non-Runners and Draw Bias

Draw analysis also needs updating after withdrawals.

Suppose a 20-runner sprint contains most of its early speed in high-numbered stalls.

Several high-drawn pace horses are then withdrawn.

The historical draw statistics have not changed.

Today’s race has.

The strongest pace may now sit in the centre or towards the low numbers.

That can affect which group receives the best tow through the race.

This is why draw bias and pace should be considered together.

Non-Runners and Track Bias

A withdrawal can also matter when a meeting develops a live track bias.

Imagine the stands’ rail appears quicker during the opening races.

A horse drawn close to that side looks well positioned.

Several nearby runners then come out.

That can change:

• Group Formation
• Racing Room
• Early Pace
• Which Horse Reaches The Favoured Ground
• How The Remaining Jockeys Position Their Horses

The physical track bias might be unchanged, but the way the race interacts with it has altered.

Non-Runners and the Going

Changes in the going are a common reason for withdrawals and can simultaneously alter the chances of the horses that remain.

Suppose rain changes the going from good to soft.

A fast-ground specialist is withdrawn.

At the same time, several proven soft-ground horses become more attractive.

The non-runner is therefore only one piece of new information.

The bigger analytical change may be the ground itself.

Always check why a horse has been withdrawn where that information is available.

It can tell you something relevant about the remaining field.

Should You Change Your Bet After a Non-Runner?

Not automatically.

Ask what the withdrawal actually changes.

Consider:

• Did A Major Market Rival Come Out?
• Has The Expected Pace Changed?
• Have The Each-Way Terms Changed?
• Is A Rule 4 Likely To Affect The Price You Took?
• Has The Draw Setup Changed?
• Was The Horse Withdrawn Because Conditions Changed?
• Does Your Original Selection Still Represent Value?

A withdrawal can improve your horse’s chance while simultaneously reducing the value of the bet because of a Rule 4 deduction.

Chance and price need to be considered separately.

Does a Non-Runner Make the Favourite More Likely to Win?

Usually every remaining runner has one fewer horse to beat, but the size of the benefit varies.

If a 100/1 outsider is withdrawn from a competitive handicap, the favourite’s chance may barely change.

If the second favourite is withdrawn from a three-runner race, the effect is substantial.

The market normally reacts accordingly.

This is why simply saying “a non-runner helps the favourite” is too crude.

Ask which horse has been removed and what role it was expected to play.

Can a Non-Runner Make Another Horse Worse Value?

Yes.

Suppose you backed a horse at an attractive early price because you believed it had a tactical advantage.

A rival is withdrawn.

Your horse’s theoretical chance improves.

However, a Rule 4 deduction can reduce the value of the price you originally secured.

The market on the remaining runners can also shorten significantly.

This demonstrates the difference between:

Chance of winning

and:

Value at the available odds

Our guide to finding value in horse racing betting explains why the two should never be treated as identical.

When Should You Check Today’s Non-Runners?

Check at several stages if you are analysing racing seriously.

When You First Study the Race

This gives you the initial field.

Before Placing a Bet

A withdrawal might have changed the race since you first analysed it.

Close to the Off

Late non-runners can occur.

This is particularly important if field size, pace or each-way terms are central to your bet.

Before Analysing the Result

Make sure you know which horses actually participated.

A race containing 14 runners on the original declarations can be a very different contest if only 10 eventually start.

Today’s Non-Runners and Racecards

A racecard is a snapshot of the race at a particular point.

When a runner comes out, reassess the information rather than simply crossing out its name.

Look again at:

• Field Size
• Draw
• Pace
• Weight
• Each-Way Terms
• Market Prices
• Ground
• Race Tactics

Our how to read racecards page explains the other information to consider when analysing the remaining field.

Do Non-Runners Affect Handicap Weights?

A normal late non-runner does not mean the remaining horses are automatically re-handicapped because one rival has disappeared.

The weights were determined under the conditions of the race.

However, withdrawals can affect the structure of the field and tactical demands.

In some races there are specific rules concerning weights, reserves or other conditions, so always use the official race conditions for unusual situations.

For the wider system, read our guide to horse racing handicap ratings.

What Are Reserves in Horse Racing?

Some races can include reserve horses.

A reserve is not simply an ordinary runner waiting until the last moment.

The race conditions and applicable rules determine whether and when a reserve can take the place of a withdrawn runner.

This is particularly relevant in Irish racing and certain major races.

Do not assume that every non-runner means the final field automatically becomes one horse smaller.

Check the updated racecard.

Can a Non-Runner Be Reinstated?

Once a horse has been formally withdrawn and declared a non-runner, bettors should rely on the official updated field rather than expecting it to return to the race.

Race administration contains detailed procedures around declarations and withdrawals.

For betting purposes, the important step is to use the current official field and the bookmaker’s current market.

What Is the Difference Between a Non-Runner and a Non-Finisher?

They are different.

Non-runner: The horse is officially treated as not having run.

Non-finisher: The horse started but did not complete the race.

A non-finisher can include a horse that:

• Pulled Up
• Fell
• Unseated Its Rider
• Refused During The Race
• Was Brought Down
• Ran Out

A horse that starts and subsequently fails to finish is not converted into a non-runner simply because it never reaches the winning post.

This distinction has obvious consequences for betting settlement.

Non-Runner Versus Withdrawn Horse

In everyday racing discussion, “withdrawn” and “non-runner” are often used interchangeably.

There can be technical differences in how and when a horse’s status is established, particularly around the start.

For most bettors, the key question is the official outcome:

Has the horse been declared a non-runner for betting and racing purposes?

Do not infer the answer solely from seeing that a horse took little or no part.

How to Use Today’s Non-Runners in Race Analysis

Non-runner information should trigger a fresh assessment rather than a mechanical adjustment.

Step 1: Identify the Withdrawn Horse

Was it a favourite, outsider, front-runner, hold-up horse or something tactically important?

Step 2: Reassess the Pace

Has the likely leader disappeared?

Does another horse now get an uncontested lead?

Step 3: Reassess the Draw

Has the distribution of pace across the stalls changed?

Step 4: Check the Market

Have prices changed significantly?

Does Rule 4 affect an existing bet?

Step 5: Check Each-Way Terms

Has the number of runners crossed an important place threshold?

Step 6: Check Why the Horse Was Withdrawn

If the ground has changed, the reason can be relevant to every remaining runner.

Step 7: Reassess Value

Do not assume the same bet remains attractive at the new price or under the new conditions.

This process is more useful than simply replacing the non-runner with your next highest-rated horse.

Common Non-Runner Mistakes

Assuming Every Non-Runner Bet Is Refunded

Traditional ante-post bets can lose if the horse does not run unless NRNB or another relevant concession applies.

Assuming Every Bad Starter Is a Non-Runner

A horse can start slowly or refuse to race through its own behaviour without being declared a non-runner.

Ignoring Rule 4

The horse you backed can win and still return less than the original price suggested because a deduction applies.

Ignoring Each-Way Changes

A reduced field can alter place terms.

Ignoring Pace

The withdrawal of a front-runner can transform the likely race shape.

Ignoring the Draw

Removing runners can change how the remaining field is distributed tactically.

Using the Morning Racecard All Day

Fields change.

Check current information.

Treating Ante-Post and Day-Of-Race Bets as Identical

They can have fundamentally different non-runner terms.

Horse Racing Non-Runners FAQs

What is a non-runner in horse racing?

A non-runner is a horse that was entered or declared for a race but is officially treated as not having run.

Where can I find today’s horse racing non-runners?

Use the live non-runner table at the top of this page to check the latest available withdrawals from today’s UK and Irish racing.

What happens to my bet if my horse is a non-runner?

A conventional fixed-odds day-of-race bet on an official non-runner will normally be void and the relevant stake returned. Ante-post betting can be different.

Do you get your money back on an ante-post non-runner?

Not necessarily. Under traditional ante-post terms, you can lose your stake if the horse does not run. NRNB markets return the eligible stake when the selection does not participate.

What does NRNB mean?

NRNB means Non-Runner No Bet. If an eligible selection does not run, the bet is void and the relevant stake is returned.

What is Rule 4?

Rule 4 is a deduction that can apply to winnings on bets placed on other runners when a horse is withdrawn and the market changes.

Does every non-runner cause a Rule 4?

No. The circumstances, timing and price of the withdrawn horse determine whether a deduction applies and its size under the relevant rules.

Can a horse be declared a non-runner after the race has started?

Yes, in specific circumstances. BHA rules allow Stewards to declare a horse a non-runner where it was denied a fair start and materially affected under the applicable provisions.

What happens if a horse refuses to race?

A horse that had a fair opportunity to start but refuses because of its own behaviour will not normally be declared a non-runner for that reason.

Is a slow-starting horse a non-runner?

No. Starting slowly does not automatically make a horse a non-runner.

Does a non-runner affect an accumulator?

Normally, a conventional fixed-odds multiple reduces when a selection is void. A four-fold with one non-runner would usually become a three-fold, subject to the bookmaker’s rules.

Does a non-runner affect each-way betting?

It can. A reduced field can affect standard place terms or promotional extra places, depending on the bookmaker’s rules and when the bet was placed.

Can a non-runner change the draw?

The physical stall allocation and starting arrangements depend on the race, but a withdrawal can certainly change the tactical effect of the draw and where the pace is located.

Can a non-runner change the pace of a race?

Yes. Removing a front-runner or prominent racer can substantially alter the expected race shape.

What is the difference between a non-runner and a non-finisher?

A non-runner is officially treated as not having run. A non-finisher started the race but failed to complete it.

Why was my winning return reduced after a non-runner?

A Rule 4 deduction may have applied because a horse was withdrawn after you placed the bet, changing the market on which your original odds were based.

Should I check non-runners immediately before betting?

Yes. Late withdrawals can affect the market, pace, draw, field size and each-way terms.

Summary

Today’s horse racing non-runners can change far more than the number of horses in a race.

Use the live table at the top of this page to check the latest UK and Irish non-runners, then reassess the race before betting.

For a standard day-of-race fixed-odds bet, an official non-runner will normally result in the relevant selection being void. Traditional ante-post bets are different unless Non-Runner No Bet terms apply.

A withdrawal can also trigger a Rule 4 deduction, change each-way place terms, alter the draw and completely reshape the expected pace.

There is also an important distinction at the start. A horse denied a fair start in qualifying circumstances can be declared a non-runner by the Stewards, while a horse that simply refuses to race through its own behaviour will not normally receive the same treatment.

Check the current field, understand the bookmaker’s settlement rules and then reconsider the remaining race rather than treating a non-runner as nothing more than a horse crossed off the racecard.