Amateur hit by 52-day whip ban

AMATEUR jockey Robert Cooper has been suspended for 52 days for misusing his whip at Uttoxeter on Hogmanay after striking his horse 23 times as he rode his first winner in almost 12 years.

Cooper, 34, was found to have used his whip with excessive frequency on 31 December aboard Elton Fox in the Uttoxeter Racecourse Annual Badge Holders Maiden Hurdle.

The British Horseracing Authority disciplinary panel found he had used it 23 times, with Cooper not giving his mount opportunity to respond on 12 occasions. Cooper had ridden the John Needham-trained Elton Fox on its previous three outings, finishing fourth and runner-up twice, and his mount was sent off 85-40 second favourite to win at Uttoxeter.

Despite his long wait for a winner, Cooper – who gave up the sport for a few years as he struggled to make a competitive riding weight – then went on to complete a double on the same Uttoxeter card when he rode 3-1 shot Bringewood Belle to victory later that afternoon. Ironically, hours after news of his ban (which starts on 22 January) was announced yesterday, Cooper rode another winner – scoring on 7-2 shot Mortimers Cross.

Cooper cheekily threw his whip away passing the line on Mortimers Cross after winning the SIS Live Handicap Chase at Fontwell. Cooper had initially suggested he might be reconsidering his future as a jockey, but said: “I’m still a bit annoyed about it, but rules are rules and I can’t do anything about it. I’m not a jockey who is known for using the stick and it’s the first ban I’ve ever had. I showed I didn’t need to use it there, but I threw my whip away and I imagine I’ll be fined for that too!

“I’ve got a bit of a holiday now to think about things but Mortimers Cross is an absolute star and he’s a horse that gives you the buzz to keep going.”

Professional rider Robert Winston was also handed a 22-day suspension at Southwell yesterday following his use of the whip when second on Zenarinda in the Follow Us On Twitter At bluesq Handicap. Winston was found to have used his whip excessively and down the shoulder in a forehand position. As it was his second such offence within a 12-month period the stewards felt it warranted a suspension at the upper level.

Meanwhile, Friday the 13th may be unlucky for some but Graham Lee will be hoping to add to his 1,000 career wins at Musselburgh this afternoon after flying home on 8-1 shot Posh Bird at Catterick yesterday. After riding the Peter Niven-trained mare to his landmark victory, Lee said: “If you told me when I started out riding in Ireland that I’d ride 1,000 winners, I’d have told you to get back on your spaceship and go back to whatever planet you came from.

The Grand National-winning jockey’s career goes from strength to strength and the pick of Lee’s mounts at the East Lothian venue looks like the Jim Goldie-trained Baaher in the 2.10 handicap chase.

Highlight of Musselburgh’s seven-race card is the £10,000 Country Refreshments Kilmany Cup and this long-established three-mile chase has attracted a competitive field, headed by the Banbury trained Key Cutter.

Next month the Musselburgh spotlight shines on the John Smith’s Scottish Cheltenham Trials on Sunday 5 February, which traditionally attracts some of the country’s best prospects for the Cheltenham Festival proper.