Amateur jockey Patrick Mullins has been handed a suspension after riding Nick Rockett to victory in the Grand National over the weekend. The Willie Mullins-trained gelding managed to fend off the challenge of last year’s victor I Am Maximus to land the spoils at odds of 33/1.
However, just a matter of days after his remarkable success, the Whip Review Committee have reviewed Mullins’ ride and issued him with an eight-day suspension. The 35-year-old was found to have used his whip eight times from the final fence, which is above the permitted level of seven.
The usual penalty for such an offence is four days, but it is doubled because the Grand National is a Class One race. Mullins will therefore be out of action on April 23, April 25, May 2, May 7, May 10, May 14, May 16 and May 20.
The suspension won’t take the gloss of Nick Rockett’s victory though, in what was a remarkable few days for the Mullins family and has put trainer Willie back in contention to win the British trainer’s title.
Mullins trained five of the first seven in the Grand National, with his only other runner – Appreciate It – being brought down at the 21st fence by Kandoo Kid whilst going well.
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