Whip guidelines play on victorious Moloney’s mind
Under the new rules, which came into effect on Monday, jump jockeys are allowed to hit their mounts a total of eight times during a race, including five times after the final hurdle or fence.
Moloney used up his full quota of ’hits’ when guiding 25-1 chance Tayarat to victory in the Frimstone Recycled Aggregates Handicap Hurdle, but crucially stayed within the rules.
The jockey admitted the matter was playing on his mind throughout the two-mile contest and believes not a single jockey in the Huntingdon weighing room was happy with the penalties that are in place.
“I was thinking about it the whole way through the race. You are very, very conscious,” said Moloney.
“I was fairly certain I’d hit him eight times and I gave him the five you’re allowed after the last hurdle. I was sure I was right and I have been practising, but then you have to go and watch the video afterwards to make sure.
“The stipendiary steward said afterwards I was bang on and I’m just lucky it worked out. It’s going to be very hard.”
HENRIETTA KNIGHT has issued a positive update on Terry Biddlecombe’s condition after he suffered a stroke on Saturday.
The three-times champion jumps jockey, 70, is undergoing treatment at John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford.
Knight is pleased with how her husband has progressed.
Speaking on www.henandterry.com, Knight said: “Everything is more upbeat today. He has had a good 24 hours and is able to manage to say a few sentences.
“He is not very fluent and gets lost for words but it is a lot more encouraging and he has an excellent speech therapist. A good few swear words come out!
“He is overwhelmed by all the messages he has had from well-wishers.”
WILLY TWISTON-DAVIES plans to return from injury at Cheltenham on Friday.
The 16-year-old jockey, son of Gold Cup-winning trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies, suffered a broken ankle at Worcester on August 28.
Twiston-Davies also fractured his right leg in mid-April.
