Toby McCain-Mitchell handed 10-day ban for not pulling up Top Of The Bill in National

Toby McCain-Mitchell was banned for 10 days by the Aintree stewards for failing to pull up final-fence faller Top Of The Bill in the Randox Grand National.

The 10-year-old, who is trained by Nigel and Willy Twiston-Davies, was a first mount in the Aintree contest for McCain-Mitchell, who is the grandson of the late Ginger McCain, the trainer of Red Rum.

Top Of The Bill raced was towards the fore in the four-and-a-quarter-mile showpiece but after quickly tiring, he came down at the last. At a subsequent inquiry, the stewards found McCain-Mitchell to be at fault in not pulling up when detached from the field.

The stewards’ report said: “An inquiry was held to consider whether Toby McCain-Mitchell, the rider of Top Of The Bill, who fell at the last fence, should have pulled the gelding up, having been in a prominent position before weakening rapidly.

“The rider and the veterinary officer were interviewed and recordings of the incident were viewed. Having considered the evidence, McCain-Mitchell was suspended for 10 days for failing to pull up when the horse had tailed off.”

Top Of The Bill eventually walked back to the racecourse stables, where he was one of three horses undergoing veterinary assessment.

The Willie Mullins-trained Quai De Bourbon fell at the second fence in the four-and-a-quarter-mile contest, while Sara Bradstock’s Mr Vango came down at the sixth obstacle, with both horses transported back to the stables via horse ambulance.
 
In an update on all three horses on Saturday evening, a statement from the track read: “Top of The Bill fell at the final fence and was assessed on course. He was walked back to the stables where he underwent further expert veterinary assessment. He is expected to travel home this evening.

“Mr Vango walked onto the horse ambulance following his fall at the sixth fence, having been assessed, and returned to the stables where he underwent further expert veterinary assessment. He has travelled to Leahurst Equine Hospital for further tests.

“Quai De Bourbon walked onto the horse ambulance, having been assessed, following his fall at the second fence. He underwent further expert veterinary assessment in the stables and will return home overnight.”

The Gordon Elliott-trained Stellar Story fell at the 19th fence and his rider Robbie Dunne was taken to hospital for further treatment.

Aintree’s statement added: “Jockey Robbie Dunne was assessed on course by the medical team. He is conscious and talking and is being taken to hospital for further assessment.

“All remaining horses and riders are accounted for.”

There was an equine fatality earlier in the day when Get On George had to be euthanised after sustaining an injury on the flat in the William Hill Handicap Hurdle.