Patrick Mullins handed eight-day suspension following Grand National ride

Patrick Mullins has been suspended for eight days after being found to have used his whip one above the permitted level aboard Nick Rockett in the Randox Grand National on Saturday.

The record-breaking amateur steered the eight-year-old to a two-and-a-half-length victory in the world’s most famous steeplechase at Aintree, with his famous father Willie saying afterwards: “This is the best day ever, this will never be topped.”

However, the Whip Review Committee found that Mullins had used his whip one above the permitted level of seven from the final fence and as the Grand National is a Class One race, the usual penalty of four days for such an offence was doubled.

The 35-year-old was therefore suspended for eight days on the following dates: April 23, April 25, May 2, May 7, May 10, May 14, May 16 and May 20.

Four other riders fell foul of the whip rules at Aintree, with three amateurs suspended after competing in Friday’s Randox Foxhunters’ Open Hunters’ Chase, which is run over the National fences.

Huw Edwards, the rider of the winner Gracchus De Balme, was suspended for seven days after he was found to have used his whip in the incorrect place on two occasions on the run to the line.

Ellie Callwood was suspended for 14 days for using her whip aboard the unplaced Bothwell Bridge when he was out of contention from jumping the last fence, while Charlie Mullins – cousin of Grand National-winning jockey Patrick – was given a four-day ban after he was found to have used his whip without giving Ontheropes time to respond after jumping the third-last fence.

On the same card, leading Flat jockey Billy Lee was found to have used his whip in the incorrect place on the Grade Two bumper winner Seo Linn and he will be suspended from April 22 and April 25 inclusive.