Six whip-uses cases to be assessed
Racing chiefs say SIX cases of whip use at Cheltenham will be looked at - but none risk a horse being disqualified.
New rules brought in before the festival mean potential disqualification if a whip is used 11 times in one race on a horse.
It sparked fears over Irish jockeys at Cheltenham as they have had less time getting used to the change.
But tonight the British Horseracing Authority said not one whip case under review next week carried a disqualification threat.
The BHA said: “Of the six referrals only one was for a winning ride.
"Three of the referrals were for use above the permitted level, two of incorrect place and one for above shoulder height.
“The referral for the one winning ride was not for use above the permitted level.”
Rules for hitting a horse in the wrong place have NOT changed.
This means two of the referrals are not covered by the new guidelines.
Magic plays farce and loose
Today's crazy climax to the Hunters' Chase - with loose horses bundling up - was labelled one of the "most bizarre finishes" ever seen.
Secret Investor, who had unseated Natalie Parker, was the chief mischief-maker at the front.
But I K Brunel - minus Izzie Marshall - vied for attention.r
It all helped 66-1 starter Premier Magic to land a surprise win.
ITV racing commentator Robert Hogarth called it "one of the most bizarre finishes I think I've ever seen"
He continued: "You watch the head on, all the loose horses got in the way of all the horses up the rails.
"Premier Magic was walking home but has done enough to win, held on from Its On The Line who is in second place.
"But you do wonder what would've happened to a few of those had the loose horses not impeded them."
Mullins hails Townend’s riding 'under pressure'
Willie Mullins praised jockey Paul Townend's coolness and command "under pressure" as Galopin Des Champs completed a Gold Cup treble for the Irish trainer.
Townend followed orders on stopping the fast-finishing Galopin from storming off too strongly too early.
And Mullins said: “We put ourselves under pressure by saying he had enough stamina to win a Gold Cup but I thought he had enough class to win a Gold Cup.
“When Al Boum Photo won the Gold Cup, there wasn’t a huge amount of expectation behind him but there was a huge weight of expectation behind this guy.
“I didn’t realise how much pressure there would be but at third last, I saw Paul fly through it and come back on the bridle. Then I thought ‘this is going to happen’.
“Through the race you were wondering whether you’re too far back but I’d asked Paul to settle him.
“I said ‘you’ve got the best horse, the fastest horse’.
"Paul is so good under pressure and I’ve been putting him under fair pressure this week.”
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