RACING:BRITISH HORSERACING Authority officials have stressed they "greatly value" their relationship with the RSPCA in the wake of the latest changes to the controversial whip rules.

David Muir, equine consultant at the RSPCA, described the decision to make fresh changes to the whip rules, originally brought into place in October, as “a backward step” and “absolutely staggering”.

The key element to the latest amendments is that rather than it being an automatic breach when a rider uses the whip eight times on the Flat and nine times over jumps, the figures become the trigger point for the stewards to review the ride.

Stewards will be given more discretion over deciding how the rider has used the whip, and the severity of the penalty itself.

In a statement, Muir said: “It is absolutely staggering that the BHA has taken such a backward step, less than six months after the whip rules were introduced to react to public concern regarding the use of the whip in racing.

“The BHA has not seen fit to discuss the need for such changes with any other of the review stakeholders including the RSPCA and other animal welfare groups, yet they have seen it necessary to change the rules and penalty structure in favour of the jockeys.

“This is a black day for the racing industry but the real losers are the horses – jockeys are once again allowed to use the whip excessively without a relatively strong preventative punitive element.

“We are extremely disappointed that once again the regulatory authority has seen it necessary to change the rules but will monitor the results closely and if these changes prove to compromise the welfare of the racehorse we shall hold the BHA to account.

“Since the new rules limiting the use of the whip were introduced there appears to be a culture of change among jockeys, which was a positive move forward. This latest move sees the preventative, punitive, element of the new whip rules reduced even further which gives us real cause for concern.”

Paul Struthers, chief executive of the PJA, said he was “deeply disappointed” with the RSPCA’s statement. He said: “The RSPCA worked with British Racing to pioneer the introduction of a whip specifically designed not to cause pain. They clearly had certain issues with the old rules and associated penalties, but they never previously believed that the whip was inherently cruel.

“We cannot comprehend how they can justifiably say that ‘jockeys are once again allowed to use the whip excessively without a relatively a strong preventative punitive element’.

“This flies in the face of the evidence – even under the revised guidelines and penalties, whip use is now hugely reduced from previously and with far stiffer punishments that will continue to act as an efficient deterrent and appropriate and proportionate sanction.

“It therefore goes without saying that we are deeply disappointed by the RSPCA’s statement, and believe the baseless, emotional rhetoric contained within it does them a disservice.”

The jockeys themselves have welcomed the rule changes, although some still have concerns about how the extra discretion stewards have been given will be applied. Richard Hughes briefly relinquished his riding licence after picking up two suspensions during the first week the rules were brought in during October.

He was soon back in the saddle after the rules were changed for the first time and sees the latest amendments as another major step forward. “I’m delighted they’ve changed the rules as they were doing more damage than good,” said Hughes. “I was one of the first to say let’s have a set number of times we can use the whip during a race, but it was very hard to put into practice.”

WINNING RETURN: Cousin Vinny cruising

COUSIN VINNY made a winning return from almost two years on the sidelines in the Festival Free Upgrade Offer Ends Today Hurdle at Punchestown.

The Willie Mullins-trained 2008 Champion Bumper had not been seen in competitive action since finishing behind stablemate Quevega at the 2010 Punchestown Festival, but was still sent off the 8 to 11 favourite.

Ruby Walsh eased his mount to the front between the final two obstacles and while he fluffed his lines at the last, he soon recovered to beat Won In The Dark by three and a quarter lengths.

“He showed his class when he straightened up going to the last and had a change of gear. I was amazed at the speed he showed and how he has retained it is extraordinary,” said Mullins.

“We’ll find another conditions race for him now, something similar, and will be aimed more towards the Punchestown Festival.”