Horse Racing New whip rules: Gordon Elliott says frightening new rulings threaten to overshadow Cheltenham Festival

[Lupin]

Elliott joins the likes of Sean Bowen, Sean Quinlan and Willie Mullins on the growing list of racing personalities taking aim at the new whip rules; whip offences with large bans threaten to see jockeys suspended for the Cheltenham Festival

Gordon Elliott has added his voice to the list of trainers who have concerns over the introduction of the new whip rules, insisting the consequences ahead of jump racing's two major festivals could be "frightening".

New regulations are set to come into force on February 13 which include reducing how many times the whip can be used and a toughening up of the penalty structure.

The very worst whip offences could result in disqualification of horses and riding bans of 20 days - a tariff which will be doubled in class one and two races - with a soft launch having been in place since January 9.