Leading jockeys have given a mixed response to the amended whip regulations announced by the British Horseracing Authority.

Among the changes - which came into immediate effect - are the removal of the five-hit rule inside the final furlong or after the last obstacle.

Jockeys have struggled to come to terms with the guidelines since their introduction last week, which allow no more than seven hits in a Flat race and eight over jumps.

Riders will now not lose their riding fee if suspended for a whip offence.

They will also only lose their percentage of prize-money if their offence earns a ban of seven days or more, rather than the three days the rules originally stated.

But dissatisfaction remains among riders at the strength of penalties for minor breaches of the rules, and former champion Jamie Spencer voiced his displeasure with the Professional Jockeys' Association.

Spencer said: "I think history is repeating itself like on every other issue. We're weak with no strength behind us. I'm disappointed with a lot of the guys who have taken it all lying down.

"I don't think it's going to have much bearing on my riding but it's just disappointing that everybody is so weak.

"French jockeys stick together, the Australians stuck together over the whip and this is why we're probably racing for peanuts every day of the week. We never put up a fight.

"Nobody is bothered about the seven strikes, it's just the penalties, they don't add up.

"I don't think it will affect the Flat jockeys as much as it will the jump guys.

"I'm not upset with the rule itself. For me nothing came out of the meeting (between the BHA and PJA) on Monday.

"The whole thing for me is a shambles, it will affect the young guys starting off more than someone like Frankie Dettori."

Current title holder Paul Hanagan hopes there is still room for manoeuvre over penalties.

He said: "I was made up they did away with the five hits inside the final furlong and gave us our riding fee back, but I still think the severity of a five-day ban is too much.

"I very rarely get banned. I've had to adapt to the rules over the years but there are some lads not in the position I'm in getting five or ten days. It could finish some lads.

"Some of them wouldn't be making a living. It will be costing them to come racing.

"I think there could be further problems if they don't get the five days down. A lot of lads are saying we need more than seven hits. But I can put up with seven - as long as the days come down.

"Something like if you hit it one more than seven you get a one day ban and so on. It's too severe. If someone does hit 15, 12 or even ten times they should have the book thrown at them.

"It will be even harder for the lads over jumps."

Steve Drowne believes there remains a possibility of strike action.

He said: "No-one's happy about the new rules, but it depends upon the grade of unhappiness.

"We'll have a meeting and judge the mood. There are always going to be conflicting opinions and if lads don't feel strongly about it, then they shouldn't strike. If they do feel strongly, then we could.

"We don't mind having seven or eight strikes, but it's the severity of the penalties."

Dettori, who like Richard Hughes and Ryan Moore formed part of the PJA deputation that met the BHA earlier in the week, said: "Now is the time to move on and put it into practice.

"My opinion is that the structure of the rules is good but some of the penalties are a bit harsh. The rules are now more clear and we all know what we have to do.

"Our voice and opinion was heard and it's one step forward. I think the rules are now workable. Welfare of horses is paramount, whips don't hurt but we need rules to give guidance to people."

He added: "It is a big improvement from last week so we have to do our best to make it work."

Frankel's jockey Tom Queally echoed Spencer and Hanagan's thoughts on bans for minor breaches.

"The five-hit rule in the final furlong has quite rightly been scrapped, and obviously not losing your riding fee is welcomed," he said.

"I still feel the penalties are harsh though for a minor breach. You're being deprived of earning your livelihood if you go one hit over and therefore suffer a ban. A five-day ban can cost you a lot of money, and for the younger jockeys, it's going to have serious financial implications."