A non-runner can affect an each-way market in several ways: a wager on that horse may need settlement, the remaining field can change place terms, and a deduction may apply to other bets. These are separate questions. A concession may preserve advertised places, but this must be stated.
Write down all three conditions
Record the accepted win odds, the place fraction and the number of paid places. A field-size rule can affect the latter two, while a deduction affects winnings. Looking only at the original headline price will not reveal all changes.
Distinguish declared runners from the number that actually participate under the operator’s definition. A horse withdrawn before the start can be treated differently from one that starts but fails to finish.
Worked example: the paid-place boundary changes
Imagine a hypothetical market initially paying four places. Its terms state that a reduction below a defined field size changes payment to three places, unless an explicit extra-place concession applies. Following withdrawals, the rule moves the boundary to third.
A remaining horse finishing fourth would then fall outside the place payment under that hypothetical rule. If a separate valid concession preserved four places, it could instead qualify. The example explains why the concession and the underlying field-size rule must be read together.
A place fraction is another variable
Suppose a fictional £2 place component uses win odds of 8/1. At one-quarter place terms, the place odds are 2/1 and the ordinary winning return is £6. At one-fifth, the place odds are 8/5 and the return is £5.20.
Changing the fraction changes the calculation even if the finishing position still qualifies. This comparison excludes deductions and dead heats, and does not claim a particular operator must alter the fraction after every withdrawal.
A non-runner wager is a different receipt
If your selected horse does not run, first identify whether the bet is ante-post, NRNB or subject to ordinary race-day rules. A refund on that selection does not tell you what happens to the place terms for other participants.
For a multiple, a void selection can reduce the combination. For an each-way multiple, win and place calculations must remain separate. Request a constituent breakdown rather than estimating from one final credit.
Check concessions and settlement records
Betfair’s racing settlement guidance distinguishes standard terms from extra-place arrangements. Use the accepted terms and the operator’s recorded runner count to investigate an actual change.
Save the original place offer, final field, finishing position and stated adjustment. Ask whether the difference came from a place-count change, fraction, deduction or dead heat; more than one can apply.
Source notes: 1.
Common questions
Does a withdrawal always remove a paid place?
No. It depends on field-size thresholds, the market rules and any concession preserving places.
Is a horse that fails to finish necessarily a non-runner?
No. Participation and non-runner classification are defined by the racing rules; failing to finish after starting is a different situation.
Sources and editorial notes
Official source material consulted for this edition. Operator examples are dated illustrations, not a guarantee of current terms or personal eligibility. Worked examples are hypothetical.
Published by eLand, Lda. See our editorial policy. Report a correction.