Conditional jockey Shane Kelly was yesterday hit with a 21-day ban - six of which have been deferred - at a Jockey Club disciplinary committee hearing over his use of the whip.

The 5lb claimer, attached to Venetia Williams's stable, had been referred to Portman Square by the Huntingdon stewards following his ride on Selberry in a handicap hurdle on January 28th.

Under the "totting-up" procedure, Kelly had already accumulated 21 days worth of suspension for whip offences in the last year.

Kelly admitted that he was guilty of improper riding and that he had used his whip with his arm above shoulder height.

His suspension runs from this Saturday to Tuesday, March 2nd, and has a further six days deferred until August 9th.