PAUL NICHOLLS was left fuming after Lorcan Williams’ whip use looks set to cost Captain Bellamy victory at Newbury.
The five-year-old was first past the post in the two and a half mile novice hurdle after coming out on top in a driving finish with De Kingpin.
But Williams, who is third in the pecking order at Ditcheat these days behind Harry Cobden and Freddie Gingell, appeared to use the whip 11 times – triggering an automatic disqualification.
The whip limit is seven over jumps and six on the Flat, and if a rider goes four or more over that cut-off point they are DQ’d.
Unlike the recent debacle involving the Cesarewitch winner Alphonse Le Grande, who was reinstated after an appeals panel decided one of jockey Jamie Powell’s strikes was an airshot, all 11 of Williams’ strokes looked to have made contact.
The outcome will be decided by the BHA’s whip review committee on Friday, but the jockey faces a 14-day ban and the 7-2 shot is certain to lose the race – much to the irritation of his trainer.
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Nicholls said: “Rules are rules, I counted 11 straight away so he’ll lose the race now.
“If seven is the (limit) and you use it 11 times, I haven’t got any sympathy whatsoever. Whether you like the rules or not, you’ve got to abide by them.
“There is no excuse, they are professional jockeys and they know the rules. It’s frustrating for the owners because he is a lovely horse.”
It caps a tough few days for Williams who has been standing in for Cobden and Gingell while they deal with minor injuries.
He went 0-7 for Nicholls at Plumpton and Wincanton earlier in the week, including a couple of close seconds, and he is jocked up to ride two horses for Nicholls at Ascot on Friday.
The 14-time champion trainer will be hoping for some Christmas cheer over the next couple of weeks, and he has a couple of his stars lined up for big targets.
Bravemansgame will be a big price to regain his title in the King George VI Chase on Boxing Day but he will line-up, but the exciting Regent’s Stroll will be well-fancied in the Grade 1 Challow Hurdle on December 28.
Nicholls said: “Bravemansgame will head to the King George. He is in great nick at home and we know he loves it at Kempton.
“I can’t wait to run Regent’s Stroll. He is a proper horse and the Challow is a good spot for him.”
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