J.J. Slevin will miss the Irish Grand National having been given an eight-day suspension for breaching the whip rules at Cheltenham.

Slevin was the only Irish-based jockey to fall foul of the new rules during last week's Festival. He was found to have used his whip eight times, which is once more than permitted, aboard Coral Cup runner-up An Epic Song.

This offence would normally attract a four-day ban but, under the new rules introduced in Britain last month, the penalty is doubled for Class 1 races. As a result, Slevin is suspended for eight jump racing days, from Tuesday, April 4th to Wednesday, April 12th.

Unless he successfully appeals the punishment, this rules him out of the entire Fairyhouse Easter Festival, where he could have expected to ride some fancied horses for trainer Joseph O'Brien and others. Slevin won the Irish National in 2018 on the Gordon Elliott-trained General Principle.

The Whip Review Committee published its Cheltenham findings on Tuesday evening. The five other riders who were deemed to have broken the whip rules at the Festival are Jonathan Burke (four days), Sean Bowen (four days), Harry Cobden (four days), Lorcan Murtagh (eight days) and amateur Freddie Gordon (eight days).

The full Committee report is published below.

Whip Review Committee

Decisions 21 March 2023

On Tuesday 21 March 2023 the Whip Review Committee convened to consider potential breaches of Rule (F)45 following referrals from the racecourse Stewards for races run from 13 March 2023 – 19 March 2023 inclusive. A summary of their findings is outlined below.

Taunton 13 March 2023

Race 4 – The William Hill Stayers Hurdle Top Price Guarantee Handicap Steeple Chase (Class 3)

Luca Morgan, the rider of the winner, BANGERS AND CASH (IRE), was found to have used his whip once above the permitted level of seven from three fences out. He will be suspended for 4 days from Tuesday 4, Wednesday 5, Thursday 6 and Saturday 8 April.

Race 6 – The William Hill Cheltenham Extra Places Every Day Handicap Steeple Chase (Class 5)

Rex Dingle, the rider of DOYAINNE (IRE), placed second, was found to have used his whip without giving his mount time to respond and in the incorrect place. He will be suspended for 8 days from Tuesday 4 to Thursday 6 April inclusive and Saturday 8 to Wednesday 12 April inclusive.

Plumpton 13 March 2023

Race 2 – The Phone Betting At Goodwin 08000 421321 Novices’ Handicap Steeple Chase (Class 5)

Dylan Kitts, the rider of the winner, BOLSOVER BILL (IRE), was found to have used his whip without giving his mount time to respond from after the second last fence. He will be suspended for 4 days from Tuesday 4, Wednesday 5, Thursday 6 and Saturday 8 April.

Cheltenham 14 March 2023

Race 5 – The Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle Race (Class 1) (Registered as the David Nicholson Mares’ Hurdle) (Grade 1) (GBB Race)

Jonathan Burke, the rider of LOVE ENVOI (IRE), placed second, was found to have used his whip in the incorrect place from after the final hurdle. He will be suspended for 4 days from Tuesday 4, Wednesday 5, Thursday 6 and Saturday 8 April.

Cheltenham 15 March 2023

Race 3 – The Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle Race (Class 1) (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)

J J Slevin, the rider of AN EPIC SONG (FR), placed second, was found to have used his whip once over the permitted level of seven, from turning in. Taking into account that this was a Class 1 race, Slevin’s penalty in relation to above the permitted level was doubled and therefore he will be suspended for 8 days from Tuesday 4 to Thursday 6 April inclusive and Saturday 8 to Wednesday 12 April inclusive.

British Horseracing Authority Limited, 75 High Holborn, London WC1V 6LS Tel: 020 7152 0000 Fax: 020 7152 0001

Web: britishhorseracing.com Email: info@britishhorseracing.com

Registered Number: 2813358 England. Calls may be recorded

Cheltenham 16 March 2023

Race 5 – The Magners Plate Handicap Steeple Chase (Class 1) (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)

Sean Bowen, the rider of FUGITIF (FR), placed second, was found to have used his whip in the incorrect place, from after the final fence. He will be suspended for 4 days from Tuesday 4, Wednesday 5, Thursday 6 and Saturday 8 April.

Cheltenham 17 March 2023

Race 2 – The McCoy Contractors County Handicap Hurdle Race (Class 1) (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)

Mr Freddie Gordon, the rider of HIGHWAY ONE O TWO (IRE), placed sixth, was found to have used his whip once over the permitted level of seven, from turning into the home straight. Taking into account that this was a Class 1 race, Gordon’s penalty in relation to above the permitted level was doubled and therefore he will be suspended for 8 days as follows: Wednesday 5 April, Saturday 8 April, Sunday 9 April, Monday 10 April, Tuesday 11 April, Wednesday 12 April, Thursday 13 and Sunday 16 April.

Race 3 – The Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle Race (Class 1) (Grade 1) (Registered as the Spa Novices’ Hurdle Race (GBB Race)

Harry Cobden, the rider of the winner, STAY AWAY FAY (IRE), was found to have used his whip with his arm above shoulder height, from after the final flight. He will be suspended for 4 days from Wednesday 5, Thursday 6, Saturday 8, and Sunday 9 April.

Race 7 – The Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle Race (Class 2) (GBB Race)

Lorcan Murtagh, the rider of MIGHT I (IRE), placed fourth, was found to have used his whip once over the permitted level of seven, from just after turning in. Taking into account that this was a Class 2 race, Murtagh’s penalty in relation to above the permitted level was doubled and therefore he will be suspended for 8 days from Tuesday 4 to Thursday 6 April inclusive and Saturday 8 to Wednesday 12 April inclusive.

Newcastle 18 March 2023

Race 4 – The Guiness Nitro Surge Handicap Steeple Chase (Class 3) (Challenge Staying Chase Series Qualifier)

Tom Midgeley, the rider of DONNA’S DOUBLE, placed fifth, was found to have used his whip without giving his mount time to respond from two fences out. He will be suspended for 4 days from Tuesday 4, Wednesday 5, Thursday 6 and Saturday 8 April.

Panel

Sam Angell (Chair)

Sarah Ellison

Shaun Parker

British Horseracing Authority Limited, 75 High Holborn, London WC1V 6LS Tel: 020 7152 0000 Fax: 020 7152 0001

Web: britishhorseracing.com Email: info@britishhorseracing.com

Registered Number: 2813358 England. Calls may be recorded

Flat Racing

Newcastle 17 March 2023

Race 5 – THE TOP ODDS EVERY DAY WITH BETUK CLASSIFIED STAKES (CLASS 6)

Laura Coughlan, the rider of the winner, HURT YOU NEVER (IRE), was found to have used her whip in the incorrect place inside the final furlong. She will be suspended for 4 days from Tuesday 4 April to Friday 7 April inclusive.

Wolverhampton 17 March 2023

Race 1 - THE SPREADEX SPORTS CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL OFFERS HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 6) (DIV I)

Frederick Larson, the rider of the winner, RED EVELYN, was found to have used his whip in the incorrect place inside the final furlong. He will be suspended for 2 days from Tuesday 4 April and Wednesday 5 April.

Race 8 - THE TOP ODDS EVERY DAY WITH BETUK HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 5)

Mollie Phillips, the rider of POETIC FORCE (IRE), placed fourth, was found to have used her whip down the shoulder in the forehand inside the final furlong. She will be suspended for 2 days from Tuesday 4 and Wednesday 5 April.

Panel

Sam Angell (Chair)

Sarah Ellison

Shaun Parker