If there are one or more non-runners (withdrawn horses), your winnings may be less than you expected.

When a horse withdraws from a race, the remaining horses now each have a better chance of winning. If there’s time, bookmakers will adjust the prices available so that any new bets placed reflect this increased chance. However, if you place your bet before the horse withdraws and your bet goes on to win, we need to adjust your returns. This is industry-wide practice and is known as a ‘Rule 4’ deduction.

Rule 4 deductions only occur when a horse is withdrawn from the race after the final declaration stage and before coming under the starter’s orders. Final declarations are usually 24 hours before the race, but can sometimes be 48 hours before.

Usually, Rule 4 only applies if you took a price on your horse, but sometimes SP bets (what is an SP bet?) can be affected if the withdrawal was very, very last-minute.

In multiple bets, the deduction only applies to the parts of the bet specifically involving the withdrawn horse.