Sports
Whip rule changes: Champion trainer Paul Nicholls calls for delay until after spring festivals amid jockey backlash | Racing News
Multiple champion trainer Paul Nicholls has called for the introduction of the new whip rules to be delayed until after the major spring festivals.
Nicholls took to social media to condemn the proposed new regulations after it was suggested his stable jockey Harry Cobden would have picked up a 24-day ban for his winning ride on Il Ridoto at Cheltenham on Saturday.
The same was also said of Sean Bowen, currently second in the jockeys’ championship behind Brian Hughes, for his successful ride on Back On The Lash in the Cross Country Chase.
The new rules, which are due to come into force on February 13, include severe penalties for jockeys raising their hand coming above head height.
Jockeys are currently riding within a ‘bedding-in’ period where the current regulations apply for sanctions purposes, but riders are being advised if they would have breached the new rules.
Nicholls tweeted: “Two fantastic top rides. How they can get bans is beyond me. Cobden excelled on Il Ridoto. This all needs postponing until after the spring festivals otherwise this is all going to be a disaster for the sport. For once common sense needs to prevail.”
Cobden confirmed on Nick Luck’s Daily Podcast that he had fallen foul of the new rule concerning using the whip over shoulder height.
He said: “I went into the stewards’ room and they froze the images of the replay where they thought my hand was over shoulder height on three of the hits.
“You could clearly see that I was in breach of the rule, my hand was ever so slightly over and I was told that I would get eight days for each hit. Because it was a class one race that it was why it was eight days rather than four, so I would have come out of the race with a 24-day ban.”
He went on: “I’ve always ridden like this, I’ve never been called in for over shoulder height before. Before Saturday I hadn’t ridden for 12 days, so had missed a lot of the bedding-in period.
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French racing expert Laurent Barbarin says it is only a matter of time until the use of the whip is completely banned in the country amid reports France Galop are set to lower the whip count from five to four.
“It’s difficult, we’re all trying but I think that rule definitely needs to be tweaked.
“We’re happy with the penalty structure, the numbers we are fine with, the only rule we have an issue with, and the one that keeps popping up, is the over shoulder height, so I think we need to change the wording or do something about it.
“I don’t think lessening the penalties will work as jockeys will still get banned. Somehow we need to change the wording of that rule. If it looks forceful then fair enough, but if you are riding a horse like I rode Il Ridoto, nobody sees anything wrong with that and I think it’s unfair to get 24 days for one ride.
“If your arm is straight up then that is not right, but if your hand is a couple of inches above and it doesn’t look out of place, I don’t think it should be a problem.”
The British Horseracing Authority, however, underlined the stewards are not responsible for the length of the bans as that will fall under the remit of the Whip Review Committee that will regularly meet on Tuesdays.
On its Twitter account, the said: “The BHA is aware of information being posted on social media speculating about potential ‘suspensions’ under the new whip rules. Please note this information is not accurate as the Whip Review Committee have not yet met this week to consider the rides in the period 16 – 29 Jan.
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Former jockey Freddy Tylicki is in agreement with the decision to continue allowing the forehand use of the whip, a change made by the BHA following backlash from riders.
“Also, a reminder that no suspensions are being imposed at present. The purpose of the bedding-in period is to provide riders with information as to where adaptations to riding style might be needed ahead of full implementation of the rules on 13 Feb.”
A previously scheduled meeting will take place in the coming days between the BHA, Professional Jockeys Association and trainers and jockeys as part of the ongoing discussion surrounding the new rules, but not on the back of the fallout of last weekend’s racing.
Sports
England captain Marlie Packer promises to continue Sarah Hunter’s Red Roses legacy | Rugby Union News
England host Italy at Franklin’s Gardens in Northampton on Sunday April 2 in Round 2 of the Women’s Six Nations; Scotland are in action next Saturday for the second round of the championship, hosting Wales at the Dam Health Stadium in Edinburgh
Last Updated: 27/03/23 11:10am
Marlie Packer insists she will continue the legacy set out by her long-time England team-mate Sarah Hunter
Marlie Packer has promised to continue Sarah Hunter’s England legacy following her retirement.
Hunter played the final match of her career on Saturday in England’s dominant 58-7 win over Scotland in the Women’s Six Nations and departed the pitch after 58 minutes to a great ovation from her team-mates, coaches and family in the stands.
She retires with 141 caps to her name, having made her Six Nations debut back in 2007, and leaves the sport at the age of 37 after a highly-decorated, 16-year career.
After Hunter left the field, Packer took over the role of sole captaincy, scoring a hat-trick of tries from England’s famous rolling maul in a player-of-the-match performance, and, following the game, she insisted her focus is now on continuing the legacy set out by her now former team-mate.
“It’s a whole new group of girls in this squad, we came together three weeks ago, and we took things back to basics,” Packer said.
“And what we talked about in these three weeks, we put that performance in on the pitch.
“Massive shout out to Sarah Hunter, 141 caps, she came out and put in a hell of a performance.
“But for me, I’m super proud of what they’ve achieved. We have a day off on Monday and then we’ll build again, we’ll come back into camp and we go again.
Hunter was held aloft by her team-mates following her final emotional game
“It’s a really exciting time, it’s an exciting time for women’s sport, but for women’s rugby especially.
“I’m really privileged and proud to be a part of it and the legacy that Sarah Hunter has left behind, all of us want to keep going with what she’s done.”
Not only did Packer have praise for the impact Hunter has had on the sport of rugby union as a whole, but also on her own international career, which she has been a part of throughout.
Packer scored a quickfire hat-trick of tries against Scotland from England’s rolling maul
“I’m going to miss her massively,” she added.
“She’s been in my whole rugby journey with England and she’s not just an amazing rugby player, but an amazing human.
“She put everyone else first before herself. This rose that she wears, credit to her, she puts that first all the time.”
England’s tournament continues as they host Italy at Franklin’s Gardens in Northampton on Sunday April 2 (3pm kick-off), in Round 2 of the Women’s Six Nations.
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LeBron James returns for season-ending push with Los Angeles Lakers after liaising with unnamed foot specialist | NBA News
LeBron James returned from a foot tendon injury to help the Los Angeles Lakers make a final push for the play-ins.
Although one doctor suggested “season-ending surgery”, the 38-year-old decided to finish the season on the court after getting a a third opinion from an unnamed foot specialist.
James returned to the Lakers on Sunday after a month-long absence with what he revealed was a significant tendon injury.
He wasn’t in the starting line-up for only the second time in his 20-year NBA career, but he still led the Lakers with 19 points in their 118-108 loss to the Chicago Bulls.
James also said his doctors told him that he was “healing faster than anybody they’ve seen before with the injury”.
One more factor contributed to his decision: James got a third opinion from an unnamed foot specialist.
“I went to the LeBron James of feet, and he told me I should [delay possible surgery],” James said, declining to name the doctor.
The NBA’s leading scorer hadn’t played since February 26, when he complained of right foot soreness after a win at Dallas.
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James was seen to clearly say he heard something pop when he injured his ankle in the third quarter against the Dallas Mavericks. He did however continue on with the game shortly after
James considered surgery after getting the sobering diagnosis, but his team-mates’ outstanding play down the stretch and his own inner determination contributed to his decision to keep playing.
“They go 8-5 and obviously had a chance to – the hell with the play-in, we actually can be a top-eight seed,” James said. “It definitely changed my mindset on me coming back and trying to be a part of this”.
“Well, I don’t even want to say [it] changed my mindset. It just enhanced what I was trying to do as far as my workouts, as far as my treatment and everything”.
“They played such great basketball. I was just ecstatic, from me being in a boot to me getting out of the boot, you guys saw me on the sideline, just so happy about what the guys are doing.”
James returns with eight games left in the Lakers’ regular season as they attempt to avoid missing the playoffs for the second consecutive year and the third time in James’ five seasons in Los Angeles.
The Lakers provided few updates on James’ condition during his absence, and James kept the details of his recovery firmly under wraps on social media.
The 38-year-old said he doesn’t know whether he’ll need surgery after the season, but he expects to have an MRI exam after he’s done playing for the summer. He said he would be at full strength for training camp in the fall even if he has the surgery.
He’s now looking healthy at a key point for the Lakers, who could finally have their full roster available for the final games of the stretch run.
Jenson Button was making his NASCAR debut at the Circuit of Americas in Texas and said he was afraid he would faint during the race as he suffered from heat exhaustion; former F1 world champion finished in 18th place
Last Updated: 27/03/23 10:40am
Jenson Button made his NASCAR debut on Sunday
Jenson Button suffered from heat exhaustion and nearly retired on his NASCAR debut, before finishing 18th.
The former F1 world champion, 43, said he feared fainting while driving his Ford Mustang during the 68-lap race at the Circuit of Americas in Texas on Sunday.
“Finished 18th after almost stopping because I had heat exhaustion. It was so hot. I don’t have a fan in my seat, which really didn’t help me too much,” Button said.
The former F1 driver finished in 18th place in Texas
“I stopped twice for a minute. They put ice on me, gave me loads of water, and I went back out.
“I was so close to getting out of the car because I thought I was going to faint. I must have drank eight (or) nine bottles of water during the race.
“The team kept me calm, and it’s the reason why we got a good result in the end. So, I was happy.”
Button will next compete in the inaugural Chicago Street Race on July 2 before racing at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course on August 13.
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