Harry Cobden one of just six jockeys banned under new whip rules at Cheltenham Festival as disaster avoided
JUST six jockeys broke harsh new whip rules at the Cheltenham Festival as fears of widespread bans weren’t realised.
Harry Cobden was one of the half-dozen who found themselves in hot water, picking up a four-day ban for using the whip above shoulder height on Albert Bartlett winner Stay Away Fay.
PAHarry Cobden picked up a four-day ban for his ride on Stay Away Fay[/caption]
His whip use from the back of the last in Friday’s Grade 1 was one of six referred to the review committee from a total of 444 during jump racing’s most high-profile meeting.
Suspensions were also dished out to Jonathan Burke, Sean Bowen, JJ Slevin, Freddie Gordon and Lorcan Murtagh.
The last three named were all banned for eight days after going one stroke over the limit of seven, doubled from the usual suspension of four days because their breach came in Class 1 and 2 races.
However, all six jocks will still be free to ride at next month’s Grand National meeting, which kicks off at Aintree on April 13.
OFFERS OF THE DAY
William Hill: Bet £10 Get £40 in Free Bets – CLAIM HERE
Betfair: Bet £10 Get £30 – CLAIM HERE
Paddy Power: Bet £20 and get it back as Cash if it Loses – CLAIM HERE
Coral: Bet £5 Get £20 – CLAIM HERE
Sky Bet: Bet £10 Get £30 in Free Horse Racing Bets – CLAIM HERE
William Hill – 18+. Play Safe. When you sign-up via Mobile using promo code N40 and place a bet of £10/€10 or more we will give you 4x £10/€10 free bets credited after settlement of first qualifying bet, free bets will expire 30 days after the qualifying bet is placed, payment method/player/country restrictions apply. begambleaware.org
Betfair – Place a min £10 bet on the Sportsbook on odds of min 1/2 (1.5), get £30 in Free Bets. Rewards valid for 30 days. SMS verification required. Only deposits via cards will qualify. T&Cs apply. Please Gamble Responsibly 18+ begambleaware.org
Paddy Power: New customers only. Place your FIRST bet on any market at odds of min 2.0 (EVS) and if it loses we will refund your stake in CASH. Max refund for this offer is £20. Only deposits made using cards will qualify for this promotion. T&Cs apply. 18+ Begambleaware.org
Coral: Eligible UK+IRE players. Paypal & some deposit & bet types excl. Min first £5 bet within 14 days of account reg at min odds 1/2 = 4x £5 free bets. Free bets valid for 7 days, stake not returned. No cash-out, restrictions & T&Cs apply. 18+ T&Cs Apply. Begambleaware.org
Sky Bet: NEW CUSTOMERS ONLY. FIRST SINGLE & E/W BET ONLY ODDS OF 1/1 OR GREATER. 3 X £10 BET TOKENS. FREE BET STAKES NOT INCLUDED IN RETURNS. FREE BETS ONLY REDEEMABLE ON HORSE RACING. FREE BETS ARE NON WITHDRAWABLE. NO FREE BET EXPIRY. ELIGIBILITY RESTRICTIONS AND FURTHER T&CS APPLY. 18+ Begambleaware.org
Most read in Horse Racing
It is a relief to everyone in the sport that the jockeys adapted so well to the new rules on racing’s biggest stage.
Some pundits had predicted a disaster on the whip front – but thankfully that didn’t come to pass.
The BHA’s Brant Dunshea said: “Our thanks go to the jockeys who competed at Cheltenham who have worked hard to adapt their styles to ensure no horses were referred to the whip review committee as a potential disqualification, and to result in so few referrals in general.
“No jockeys used the whip above the permitted level on any winning ride over all four days.
“What we saw was racing of the highest quality, with a number of competitive finishes and the best horses on the day coming out on top, and it is wonderful the stories were all about the action on the track.
“We will continue to speak to the PJA and jockeys across both codes, jump and Flat, as we progress the roll-out of the new rules.”
The new guidelines were first implemented over jumps on February 13 and will come into force for Flat jockeys from March 27 following a bedding-in period.
FREE BETS GET OVER £2,000 IN SIGN UP OFFERS HERECommercial content notice: Taking one of the bookmaker offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. 18+. T&Cs apply. Begambleaware.org
Remember to gamble responsibly
A responsible gambler is someone who:
Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
Never chases their losses
Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed
Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk
Gamble Aware – www.begambleaware.org
