The latest news and best bets in our daily racing blog on the day that controversial new whip rules come into force
Today's best bets, by Will Hayler
It is unlikely that jockeys will ever have their use of the whip as closely scrutinised as today. On the first day that the British Horseracing Authority's new tougher rules on the whip are enforced, I'll be surprised if we don't see at least one of the two racing channels having a count-up or two to check whether a rider has used his whip more than the permitted seven times. I guess the jockeys will then blame the media if any punishment is forthcoming. That's usually the way these things work.
There's no doubt in my mind that the new rules will materially affect some results, particularly over jumps. Horses that have needed strong driving to stay in touch in the early stages will simply not be able to be ridden in the same way. A number of trainers and jockeys have also suggested that restrictions on whip use will lead to an increased number of horses being fitted with headgear. Gay Kelleway tweeted yesterday that she had "decided to run all my horses in head gear to help the little people with new whip rule".
Perhaps this is a good day to keep hands in pockets and cash in wallets, simply watching some of the action to get a handle on how different riders are responding to the new guidelines.
Hopefully Neil Callan won't need anything more than gentle persuasion to bring Shaleek (1.40) home in front in the opener at Yarmouth. She was an eyecatching second on her debut over course and distance, coming home strongly, and there should be some improvement still to come here.
Expecting Vociferous (2.40) to replicate the improvement she showed when bolting up at Southwell last time is a risky business. That performance represented a marked step up on the best of her previous turf form.
Nevertheless, there is a distinct lack of depth to the opposition today and, at a little over 2-1, I'm just about prepared to take the chance that her latest victory represented genuine improvement, which she can continue here.
Peter Winkworth insists that its 'business as usual' until his retirement from training at the end of this month and the stable certainly has a plethora of entries in the days ahead. Fire Ship (5.40) has been off for seven weeks since finishing second over a mile at Salisbury and that form has worked out quite well in the interim. This extended mile at Windsor should suit, as he stays the trip particularly well.
Tipping competition ? a new week
Congratulations to Onmeheadson, who picked King Of The Night (7-2) to secure his victory in last week's competition with a final score of +17.50. He narrowly held off Ormrod76, who had winners at 9-1 and 7-2 to finish on +17, while JimmyDeuce was the only one to pick Quicuyo (16-1) and ended on +15.50. Onmeheadson wins a copy of Edward Whitaker's Beyond The Frame, a beautiful book of racing photos.
This week's prize is a copy of Chasers & Hurdlers, the much-loved annual from Timeform, which will be published on Saturday. Packed with information about every horse that ran last winter, with fascinating essays on 80 leading performers, it is a major enhancement to the enjoyment of each jumps season. You can buy it here but winning our competition would save you the �75 purchase price.
To kick things off, we'd like your tips, please, for these races: 4.00 Salisbury, 4.40 Windsor, 4.50 Yarmouth.
As ever, our champion will be the tipster who returns the best profit to notional level stakes of �1 at starting price on our nominated races, of which there will be three each day up until Friday. Non-runners count as losers.
In the event of a tie at the end of the week, the winner will be the tipster who, from among those tied on the highest score, posted their tips earliest on the final day.
For terms and conditions click here.
Good luck!
Click here for all the day's racecards, form, stats and results.
And post your tips or racing-related comments below.
Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/blog/2011/oct/10/horse-racing-live-10-october-2011
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