Well that was the least enjoyable days racing

I can't decide if the sport has died for me or if I have SAD again

If that is the shape of things to come,the game has changed and for the worse. Punters will be turning away in their droves

Im sure it will improve in coming weeks as the pressure eases somewhat, but something will be missing imo, it's potentially a feckin nightmare.

Punters will see a horse they have backed not given maximum assistance and get beat a short head and will turn away from the game

So all jockeys were trying two days ago? Pretty sad if your idea of enjoyment just equates to seeing horses being hit with a whip.

FFS MAN,if you had made money today my guess is your attitude would be completely diffirent.

There ya go !!!!

Spot on watchit.

bang a differntdrum differentdrum - I love horses but without the whip this sport is bland and boring. They were strung out like 3 mile chasers today at Newcastle and Leicester as jockeys just gave up not wanting to get banned.

FFS bilbo, it was obvious today that a few jockeys wanted to make a point to the BHA. I think they achieved their objective - the BHA will quickly see that the only way forward is to ban the whip altogether and the sooner we get to that point the better all round imo.

gerry don't talk absolute rolloxs. Any sane person does not want to see a horse abused in any way shape or form,but, today the game has lost it's competitive edge.

The main concern for a jockey now is not to win,but not to get banned

You think all the jockeys who didn't use the whip today were saving themselves for another day then TRD?

I don't think Hughes gave more than 7 smacks in all of his rides combined,let alone in one race.

I am saying they are more concerned with not getting a ban than winning.They are allowed 7 smacks.however, numerous jockeys have said they are only going to give 4,just in case.

In that case it won't be long before stewards have such jockeys in under the 'insufficient effort' rules and connections decide that they want to put someone up who can count! Alternatively, the BHA might just decide to do the sensible thing and ban the whip altogether.

Why would it be sensible to ban the whip,absolute nonsense

Perhaps they could bring in a no more than 7 but no less than 4 rule

The end is nigh and I am amazed people cant see this. Banning whips altogether will mean the same thing. Why race a horse in the UK anymore. The prize money is a joke anyway. People will bet on other things it is happening anyway. Look at turn-over for premiership or champions league matches, tennis, rugby you name it. One can be almost certain that all the participants are trying. Now one can be certain that very few are trying in races. Clive Smith has some horses in Ireland now also Graham Wylie and David Johnson.

This is just the starting point. Racing can and will become so anodine it will become unwatchable.

The rest of the racing world will be laughing at us.

What happens when our politically sanitised jockeys race abroad.
will they revert to previous times?./course they will.

as tom quealy said today,the jockey's discretion has been taken away.
Absolute farce to pay lip service to pressure groups who know nothing about racing.

Hope you don't include TC,RW etc in that opening salvo or they will sue for lible

The worst decision in the history of horse racing.

But where are these pressure groups. I dont believe there are any or any that matter. Its the BHA attempting to be PC. What they dont realise they could end up ruining the sport.

Why would it be sensible to ban the whip,absolute nonsense

TRD, you've given one of the reasons why it would be sensible.

"jockeys only concern is not getting a ban"

No whip = no ban.

I doubt you would find one single jockey riding who would agree with banning the whip. Behind closed doors I doubt you would find one single jockey who agrees with the new whip rules