Relief for Harry Cobden as risk of long totting-up ban recedes under whip rule changes

Racing's ruling body was praised for being in listening mode after the latest round of changes to the whip rules, announced on Thursday, which will take some of the sting out of the new regime where jockeys are concerned.

Harry Cobden has particular reason to be grateful for changes to the way totting-up punishments are triggered, as he is no longer at imminent risk of a month-long ban.

"It's great that the BHA are open to listening to us and looking again," said Cobden, speaking in the weighing room at Taunton. "This isn't about making it easier on us, it's just that the goalposts are more realistic now."

On two recent occasions, Cobden was found in breach of the newly tightened rule that prohibits using the whip above shoulder height. Under rules that came into force last month, that meant just one more whip offence of any kind would result in the much-admired jockey being referred to the disciplinary panel, facing an entry-point suspension of 28 days.

But Cobden said he had no great fear such a ban would actually materialise, following private conversations with the BHA's chief regulatory officer and one of its directors. "I've spoken to Brant Dunshea and David Jones recently. They're very understanding and I was really pleased that I spoke to them because they are listening," the jockey said.

He added: "I was thinking about it a bit but, after I had a good chat with David and a few of the stewards, I thought common sense would prevail. I was obviously a little bit cautious but I thought something would happen."

Technical breaches like whip use above shoulder height will only trigger a totting-up ban if a jockey commits five in the space of six monthsCredit: Alan Crowhurst

Following Thursday's changes, technical breaches like use above shoulder height will only trigger a totting-up ban if a jockey commits five in the space of six months. However, the risk of a lengthy ban remains the same for those who use their whip too many times in a race; doing so three times in six months will still lead to a referral.

The changes were described as interim measures, pending a formal review of the rules to be conducted by the BHA and the PJA this summer.

Dunshea said: "We are very grateful to the PJA and to our jockeys, both for the manner in which they continue to adapt to riding under the new rules and their constructive engagement with the process, which has helped bring about these further improvements.

"We will continue to liaise with the PJA and jockeys as we continue the rollout and embedding of the new rules."

The news was welcomed by the champion jumps trainer Paul Nicholls, who is Cobden's main employer. "It's all positive that everyone is working together," he said.

"It's very hard to penalise someone like Harry, who is riding better than ever and in my opinion setting a good example of how to conduct oneself. I know he has tried so hard [to adjust to the new rules].

"The ones to penalise are obvious and it's not jockeys who are riding as well as ever and committing minor infringements, like slightly over-shoulder height."

Jockeys whose mounts are disqualified because of whip-rule breaches will now forfeit their riding fee as a result of other changes imposed on Thursday. But those who are suspended can now elect to serve their ban two weeks from the date of offence, rather than two weeks from publication of the verdict, as has been the case.

The whip review committee has evidently found itself busy. It will now meet twice per week rather than once, as originally envisioned.

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Julie Harrington: whip rules had to change for Cheltenham - this can make the sport look better  

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