AP McCoy and Ruby Walsh have questioned why the British Horseracing Authority held an inquiry over Rachael Blackmore's winning ride on Inthepocket at Aintree.
Blackmore partnered the 3/1 favourite to victory in the Grade 1 Poundland Top Novices’ Hurdle on Ladies Day in Liverpool on Friday afternoon.
But the Tipperary jockey dropped her whip in the closing stages of the race and received praise from many, including Ruby Walsh, for the skill she showed to use the horse's reigns to encourage Inthepocket.
READ MORE: Grand National full race card and tips - list of runners at Aintree on Saturday
However, the BHA inquired into the ride and reminded Blackmore of "her responsibilities and that only the whip can be used to encourage the horse", something both Walsh and AP McCoy strongly disagreed with.
Walsh said on ITV's Opening Show: "You can see that Inthepocket pricks his ears when Rachael flicks the reigns over and back to get him to concentrate and go forward.
"I thought it was improvisation, I thought it was brilliant riding. There'll be kids up and down the country who will think 'wow I could do that' and then we have an inquiry and a reminder of it. I just think sometimes it's pedantic."
When it was suggested by host Oli Bell that the BHA would say they were just upholding the rules, Walsh responded by saying: "But they're also vitally involved in writing the rules. They don't write them correctly."
McCoy commented: "You just wonder if the people who are writing them, are they horse people at all? That's the thing. Are they just reading it off a book? 'That's what is says, we can't look and think that looks good'."
READ NEXT:
- Robbie Keane pictured with disgraced former FAI boss John Delaney and Luis Figo in London
- Louth GAA thank US President Joe Biden and Ireland legend Rob Kearney for supporting new stadium venture
- Bravemansgame not permitted to run at Aintree after FCA intervention
- Surprise as Croke Park not part of FAI's Euro 2028 bid
- Rory McIlroy: Possible ramifications for missing RBC Heritage
Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email alerts
