Gordon Elliott has become the latest trainer to voice his concerns over new whip rules describing the potential consequences ahead of the major jump festivals as "frightening".
New regulations are due to come into effect on 13th February and they include a reduction in the amount of times a whip can be used and a beefing up of the penalty system. The very worst whip offences could result in a disqualification for the horse and a riding ban for the jockey, up to 20 days. This could be doubled in Class 1 and 2 races. A soft launch has been in place since 9th January.
Both Paul Nicholls and Willie Mullins have already aired their dissatisfaction with the new rules and have called for a pushing back of the implementation date. Many senior jockeys on both sides of the Irish Sea have also voiced their concerns.
