Cheltenham Festival fears mean whip rules changes close On Thursday McCoy was handed a four-day ban after he rode an inspired race to get the Prince of Pirates up in the last stride to force a dead-heat with Brackloon High, ridden by Richard Johnson, in a handicap chase at Leicester. He was found to have hit the horse nine times, one more strike with the whip than is currently permitted under the rules. At Leicester, because McCoy was reoffending - he had been banned earlier in the season for a similar incident at Ffos Las - his penalty was increased from two days to four days. If he were to be found guilty of the same breach of the rules in the next few days, his suspension would be increased to six days, and depending on the timescale, could theoretically force the biggest name in the sport to miss the showcase National Hunt meeting of the year owing to a minor misdemeanour. It is this absurdity that has brought matters to a head. Paul Bittar, the chief executive of the BHA, said that the changes would not be about changing the number of hits permitted with the whip. It is about giving stewards a framework in which they can exercise discretion and common sense in dealing with these matters. We have had talks with the PJA and we hope to have a document before the BHA board by Wednesday," said Bittar. Paul Struthers, the chief executive of the PJA, said: "As we stand at present, we and the BHA are not far apart in our thinking." Bittar is hoping that the changes will be introduced by the start of next month. He is prepared to risk a short 'bedding-in" period rather than wait until after Cheltenham. It is seen as essential that new regulations are in place well before Aintree's Grand National meeting in April. Jockeys are riding better and with more judgment in their use of the whip, but when draconian and inappropriate penalties are handed out, it sends out the message that a serious 'crime" has been committed, which in most instances is not the case.