General / Graham Cunningham / 05 February 2010 / Leave a comment Free £25 Bet View Market

As big names clash over the question of whether it is acceptable to hit horses to make them go faster, Graham "GC" Gunningham reflects on the latest round of the whip debate.

Things you thought you would never say number 25 - the Morning Line crew have upped their game recently.

New host Nick Luck has helped keep some of the more errant panellists on their mettle there was a noteworthy interlude on several levels last Saturday sparked by the news that former poacher John "Francs" Francome has finally turned gamekeeper by stating that it is no longer acceptable to hit horses to make them go faster.

Francome's intriguing change of heart produced a dramatic domino effect among the regulars.
Jim "Jimbo" McGrath disagreed strongly with the suggestion, causing "Francs" to retort by saying, "Well you've ridden a lot of winners, haven't you?"

The look on McGrath's face as his friend of over 20 years hit him with the lowest of low blows was a picture, but rather than strike back, Jim predictably chose to kick down by referring to arch whip opponent John "Big Mac" Mcririck as "this idiot"

Leading rider Robert "Chocolate" Thornton predictably argued in favour of keeping the whip by saying banning it would be "the thin end of the wedge" and, as ever, this perennial debate gradually petered out with no satisfactory conclusion.

For what it's worth, I feel the current system of cushioned whips and strong guidelines on their use and abuse is working well overall. When all the old lines have been trotted out, you are either comfortable with the idea of some degree of pain being inflicted on a horse to make it try harder or you aren't.

And, provided the rules are enforced firmly and fairly, I am perfectly comfortable with that notion.

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