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Jockey Will Kennedy has been handed a seven-day whip ban and told to forfeit his prize money after winning at Kempton.

Kennedy won the prestigious Lanzarote Hurdle on 9-2 favourite Swincombe Flame but was penalised for excessive use.

"You work your backside off and lose two-and-a-half grand. You sometimes wonder why you bother," said Kennedy.

The incident occurred .

Jockeys have claimed that penalties for breaking the new rules, before being amended and , are too severe.

A strong ride from Kennedy helped Swincombe Flame pass Featherbed Lane at the second-last to take the £25,000 handicap but Kennedy galvanised her to steal a nose advantage on the line.

Excessive use of the whip has re-emerged as a controversial topic this week, with amateur Robert Cooper and Flat rider Robert Winston receiving heavy bans.

Kennedy was aware he had broken the rules but said: "I'm not really one for hitting them but I missed the last and what do I tell the owners?

"I either hit her two more times and win by a nostril or I don't and I get beaten. Who can say I would have won without those two hits? It's disappointing."

The Irishman said he may appeal against the punishment, which is set to run from 28 January to 3 February.