'The timing's a problem' - Skelton and De Boinville latest to air whip concerns

More senior jockeys have expressed concerns about the timing of the implementation of new whip rules next year, the day after they were labelled "bloody ridiculous" by Harry Cobden.

Cobden, alongside Sean Bowen and Aidan Coleman, spoke out in Friday's Racing Post against the new rules coming into force on February 6, following a month-long bedding-in period, believing it gives insufficient time to adjust long-established riding styles and could potentially lead to significant bans, including at the Cheltenham Festival in mid-March.

Senior Flat riders Richard Kingscote and Jim Crowley were also uncomfortable with the forthcoming changes, such as the banning of the use of the whip in the forehand position and the introduction of disqualifications, when speaking to the Racing Post on Thursday.

As well as this, a newspaper report on Friday suggested that a letter signed by 30 jump jockeys had been sent to the BHA highlighting concerns over the introduction of the new rules.

The timing of the rules is of particular worry for former champion jump jockey Harry Skelton, who said: "This is something we've been doing for a long time so to adapt so quickly as we're asked could be an issue.

"We just want this right. We want bans to be reduced and hopefully we can come to the right outcome. I think the timing is certainly a problem, particularly for the Irish jockeys and amateurs who have had no bedding-in period.

"I think now things are being put into practice on the course and there's probably a realisation for a lot of jockeys as to what's coming."

Skelton said the direction being given by raceday stewards over how certain rides would attract bans had been eyeopening for the weighing room.

"It's all very well on paper and how it might be, but until it's put into practice you never really know," he said.

"The stipendiary stewards on the day have been working closely with us recently and making us aware that a lot of jockeys are trying to adapt to the new rules already and being told there would be some fairly severe bans for how they're implementing them now. That's why there's such concern."

Changes to the whip rules were announced by the BHA in July following a consultation period which included jockeys being a part of the whip steering group and following discussions with the Professional Jockeys Association.

Nico de Boinville: 'Now we are ready to speak up and have our voices heard'Credit: Michael Steele (Getty Images)

However, rider Nico de Boinville said the time was now right for more jockeys to express their views on the whip, and said on ITV Racing: "We want to work with the powers that be but we are a strong body of people in there, we are competitive but want the best for the sport going forward.

"For a long time we have been quiet in there and allowed people to speak for us, but now we are ready to speak up and have our voices heard."

Read these next:

'It's going to be hard' - leading Flat jockeys expect tough move to new whip rules

Backhand use only and disqualification to be introduced in new whip rules

Reaction: bookmakers seek clarity on 'far from ideal' whip disqualifications

Reaction: 'It's going to feel foreign to some' – jockeys react to backhand whip ruling

The Front Runner is our latest email newsletter available exclusively to Members' Club Ultimate subscribers. Chris Cook, a four-time Racing Reporter of the Year award winner, provides his take on the day's biggest stories and tips for the upcoming racing every morning from Monday to Friday. Not a Members' Club Ultimate subscriber? Click here to join today and also receive our Ultimate Daily emails plus our full range of fantastic website and newspaper content