Timmy Murphy yesterday received a massive 30-day sentence from the Jockey Club's disciplinary committee for persistent whip offences since the introduction of the totting-up system.

Murphy had already served a total of 15 days in whip bans in the previous 12 months and therefore was automatically referred to Portman Square after breaching the whip guidelines aboard Bramblehill Buck at Newton Abbot on November 18th.

The ban takes effect from Tuesday, December 9th to Saturday, January 3rd inclusive, with 10 days suspended for six months. As a consequence Murphy, who rode for Michael Hourigan as an amateur, will miss the ride on Belmont King in the Coral Welsh National at Chepstow on December 27th.

Murphy, who left Portman Square looking shaken after the two hour hearing, said: "I think it is a bit severe, but I will just have to improve when I'm using the stick, hitting the horse a bit much, and using too much force."

Paul Nicholls, Murphy's boss and trainer of Belmont King, said: "It is a shame about Timmy but he has put his hands up and admitted he was wrong."