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Multiple champion trainer Paul Nicholls called for the new whip rules to be delayed until after the main spring festival.
Nicholls took to social media to condemn the proposed new regulations after it was suggested stable jockey Harry Cobden would lift a 24-day ban for his winning ride on Il Ridoto at Cheltenham on Saturday.
They also said Sean Bowen, now second in the jockeys championship behind Brian Hughes, for a successful ride on Back On The Lash in the Cross Country Chase.
The new rules, which will come into effect on February 13, include heavy penalties for jockeys who raise their arms high.
Jockeys are currently riding in a ‘bedding-in’ period where the current regulations apply for sanctioning purposes, but riders are advised that they will be in breach of the new rules.
Nicholls tweeted: “Two top rides fantastic. How they can get a ban is beyond me. Cobden excels at Il Ridoto. This all needs to be postponed until after the spring festival otherwise this will all be a disaster for the sport. For once common sense. must win.”
Cobden confirmed on Nick Luck’s Daily Podcast that he had broken the new rules about using a whip at shoulder height.
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Speaking during the whip review process, Harry Cobden told Racing Debate that he thought the process had not been handled well and needed to be changed.
He said: “I went into the stewards’ room and they froze the footage from the replay where they thought my hand was above shoulder height when I hit three.
“You can clearly see that I broke the rules, my hand was a bit done and I was told that I will get eight days for each hit. Because it is a first class race, it is eight days instead of four, so I will be out of the race with a 24 ban day.”
He continued: “I’ve ridden like this before, I’ve never been called shoulder height before. Before Saturday I didn’t ride for 12 days, so I missed a nap.
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French racing expert Laurent Barbarin says it is only a matter of time until the use of whips is banned in the country amid reports France Galop will lower the number of whips from five to four.
“It’s difficult, we all try but I think the rules need to be changed.
“We like the penalty structure, the numbers we do, the only rule that has a problem, and the one that keeps coming up, is shoulder height, so I have to change the wording or do something about it.
“I don’t think reducing the punishment will work because the jockeys will still be banned. Somehow we have to change the wording of the rules. If it looks strong then it’s fair enough, but if you ride a horse like I ride Il Ridoto, nobody sees anything that wrong and I don’t think it’s fair to get 24 days for the ride.
“If your arm is straight up, it’s not right, but if your hand is a few inches above and doesn’t look out of place, I don’t think it should be a problem.”
The British Horseracing Authority, however, underlines the stewards are not responsible for the length of the ban because that will fall under the remit of the Whip Review Committee that will meet regularly on Tuesdays.
On its Twitter account, it said: “The BHA is aware of information posted on social media speculating about a potential ‘suspension’ under the new whip rules. Please note this information is not accurate as the Whip Review Committee has not met this week. to consider riding in the period 16 – 29 Jan.
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Former jockey Freddy Tylicki agreed with the decision to continue to allow the use of the forehand whip, a change made by the BHA following a backlash from riders.
“Also, a reminder that no suspensions are currently in place. The purpose of the bed time is to inform riders where adaptations to riding style may be required before the full implementation of the rules on Feb 13.”
A previously scheduled meeting will take place in the coming days between the BHA, Professional Jockeys Association and trousers and jockeys as part of active discussions surrounding the new rules, but not at the end of the fallout from last weekend’s racing.
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