Champion jumps trainer Paul Nicholls has called for the postponement of controversial new whip rules after discovering stable jockey Harry Cobden would have copped a 24 day ban for his ride of one of his Cheltenham winners on Saturday.
Nicholls said the rules, due to come into force over jumps on February 13, were “going to be a disaster for the sport” as he joined a chorus of jockeys to voice concerns about the impact.
Cobden was reported to have been pulled up by the stewards after steering Il Rodoto to victory in a handicap chase on Cheltenham Festival Trials Day for breaching the new restrictions, which aim to curtail whip excess with the introduction of stiffer penalties including disqualification.
