BHA monitoring whip rule situation The British Horseracing Authority today said they were "committed to ongoing and constructive dialogue" with the Professional Jockeys Association as the threat of strike action in the UK continues to cast a shadow over racing. Riders on the Flat and over jumps remain at odds over the new whip rules, with last Friday's revised regulations failing to appease all factions of the weighing room. Ruby Walsh was the first high-profile National Hunt jockey to fall foul of the new guidelines at Aintree on Saturday, when receiving a five-day suspension. Walsh claims he will now restrict his visits to these shores, and has already scrapped plans to ride at Chepstow on Tuesday and Wetherby on Friday. The PJA believe any strike action would be counterproductive - a stance which has been mirrored by the BHA. BHA spokesman Robin Mounsey said: "We are committed to our own constant monitoring of the situation regarding the adjusted whip rules, and are pleased that the majority of jockeys are adhering to them. "We urge that they continue to do so in a professional manner, in the best interests of the sport. "We are however also fully committed to ongoing and constructive dialogue with the Professional Jockeys Association on the issue. "There are ways of formalising this engagement, and all sides should agree that it is not best conducted in public. "To this end we are also having positive conversations with the Horsemen's Group." Two jockeys were found in breach of the new regulations at Redcar on Monday, with Patrick Mathers and Iva Milickova hit with seven-day and nine-day bans respectively. Shirley Teasdale was also banned seven days for using her whip with excessive frequency aboard Greenhead High, who finished second in the concluding apprentice handicap.
