RACING yesterday gave a broad welcome to the Jockey Club's attempt to tackle one of the sport's most controversial problems.

The Club has published revised instructions on use of the whip, alter a year which has seen numerous jockeys fall foul of the current guidelines.

Outcries have followed bans handed out to jockeys after hard-fought big-race finishes, notably those given to Frankie Dettori for whip abuse following his victories in both the 2,000 Guineas and St Leger.

The revised instruction H9, which comes into effect on February 1st next, year, removes the present "trigger mechanism" which makes stewards consider an inquiry if a jockey uses the whip more than five times.

Instead, stewards will have greater discretion to look into anything which might cause them concern", and have been given examples of improper use of the whip to use as criteria.

Decisions on "excessive" use will be determined by factors such as a horse's experience, its response to the whip and the degree of force used.

Vets will be asked to examine all placed horses and a random selection of others after a race, although the fact that a horse has not been marked need not prevent the stewards finding that excessive force has been used.

It is stressed that, although there will be a relaxation at the bottom of the scale, serious breaches of the instructions will bring stricter penalties from the stewards.

National Trainers' Federation president Peter Cundell, who was consulted over the changes, said: "I think it is positive and a move in the right direction."

NTF council member Toby Balding added: "Some of the instances of jockeys being done were wrong but the instructions were such that the stewards were put in a difficult position as soon as a jockey went over the required number of hits they had to have an inquiry.

I think this gives the stewards more chance of using their discretion.

"We have been trying to eliminate abuse and the unattractive use of the whip. Now abuse will be up to the view of the vets which is as it should be."

And Jockeys' Association secretary Michael Caulfield said: "We sincerely hope the new instruction results in fewer suspensions and a greater understanding of what has been a delicate and difficult issue.

"I think jockeys will be pleased that the `trigger figure' has been removed as this has resulted in many unnecessary suspensions."

Jockey Club disciplinary committee chairman Christopher Hall was delighted at the response.

I was pleased to see in the papers today that it has been welcomed by the RSPCA and the jockeys," he said.

"I had very good consultations with Michael Caulfield and John Reid and we spent a heck of a long time on this. I believe that for the time being we have got it as good as we can.

Hall admitted that adverse media comment on whip suspensions handed out after big races had helped lead to the search for a new instruction.

"We were already reviewing the use of the whip but there is no doubt that the Press coverage concentrated the mind," he said.