When must a claim form be sealed in an envelope?

The correct answer highlights that a claim form must be sealed in an envelope after it has been completed. This is a crucial procedure in horse racing to ensure that the claim remains confidential and cannot be altered once it has been submitted. Sealing the form after completion prevents any potential tampering or disclosure of information that might affect the integrity of the claiming process.

The process is designed to maintain fairness and transparency, as other participants should not have access to the claims or intentions of trainers until the appropriate time. Sealing the form also provides a physical layer of security, allowing officials to verify that the claim was submitted as intended without interference.

The timing associated with other options might lead to confusion about when the sealing occurs. For example, sealing the form at the time of purchase could imply that the claim is finalised before all necessary information is documented, which undermines the integrity of the process. Similarly, sealing the form when the race starts or before the race number is assigned would be premature. The right moment is crucial in ensuring that all information on the form accurately reflects the claim being made and can be effectively processed and tracked by the racing officials.