'It seems harsh' - James Best considers appeal to 14-day ban over use of whip

Jockey James Best is considering whether to appeal a 14-day ban over his use of the whip after his mount in the West Wales National was found to have "moderate weals" post-race.

The marks on the John Flint-trained Amateur were reported by the veterinary officer after an inspection following a third-placed finish at Ffos Las on Sunday.

Best, who is set to serve 14 days between April 25 and May 14, said: "I have been on the phone to Adam McNamara [PJA racing executive], who is working with [solicitor] Rory Mac Neice on it and they'll discuss amongst themselves whether we appeal.

"It seems harsh getting 14 days and it was awfully unlucky that it left some marks as I feel I was using the whip in the correct way."

Best, who has ridden nine winners this season and landed the Grimthorpe Chase on Moroder last month, was among 11 jockeys to fall foul of the whip rules in the latest batch of sanctions by the BHA's whip review committee.

Flat jockey George Wood was banned for eight days for using the whip without giving his mount, Miss Bella Brand, time to respond and once above the permitted level of six before the turn into the home straight at Lingfield on Good Friday.

Amateur rider Joanna Walton was given a seven-day ban for using the whip twice above the permitted level of seven aboard Ashjan in the 2m3½f handicap hurdle at Carlisle on Saturday.

Death of trainer Ken Wingrove at age of 84

Trainer Ken Wingrove, who died this month at the age of 84 following a short illness, has been remembered as a “great character”.

Before training, Wingrove rode over jumps, although he did not manage to ride a winner as he was often asked to partner horses who had little chance of success.

Wingrove started training from a yard in Stockton, near Rugby, in the early 1980s and sent out his first winner at Stratford in April 1983. Having trained a number of low-level winners, Wingrove moved to East Harling, near Norwich in 1992.

It was at this time Alan Bridges and a group of friends were introduced to Wingrove and set up the First In Racing Partnership, with trainer and owners enjoying plenty of success together.

“There were 11 of us in the group and we were all first-time owners,” said Bridges. “It was like Disney for us, just about everything we put our colours on at that time won – it was unbelievable.

“Ken was just one of those great characters in the game and he gave us so much fun as owners. He was infuriating at times as he would never want to spend more than £1,000 on a horse and he would be aiming to win the Grand National with it, but that was just him.”

Bridges added: “Ken was great at spotting a bargain and often produced a surprise winner for the partnership. He was always really accommodating of the owners of the partnership, with access to the stables, and was full of mischief and fun.”

Wingrove’s best season as a trainer came during 1995-96, when he saddled ten winners, six of which came from Chicago’s Best. He is survived by his wife Bella, his daughters Megan and Jodie, who had both ridden as amateur jockeys, and sons Damien and Jamie.

Jess Whalley funeral date

The funeral of Jess Whalley, who died while riding out at Hugo Palmer's Manor House Stables in Cheshire last month, will take place at St James church, Audley, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire ST7 8HL on May 2 at noon. Afterwards there will be a cremation at nearby Bradwell Crematorium at 1.15pm followed by a reception at The Broughton Arms, Newcastle Road, Crewe CW2 5. 

A senior travelling employee, Whalley died of a suspected heart attack on March 28. She had previously worked for Palmer in Newmarket where she also had spells with William Haggas and Sir Michael Stoute.

Gowran Park meeting rescheduled for next Tuesday

HRI has announced the Gowran Park meeting that was scheduled for Wednesday but cancelled due to a waterlogged track will now take place on Tuesday evening. The meeting will close for fresh entries by noon on Thursday, April 13 with declarations to run to be made by 10am on Sunday, April 16.

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