The China Mail - Patrick Mullins hit with eight-day whip ban over Grand National ride

The Irish amateur rider steered the eight-year-old to victory in the celebrated steeplechase at the Aintree course in Liverpool to complete a notable family double given 33-1 shot Nick Rockett is trained by his father, Willie Mullins.

After the race, Willie Mullins, who achieved the impressive feat of saddling the first three home in the world's most famous jumps race, in addition to being the father of the winning rider, said: "This is the best day ever, this will never be topped."

Disciplinary officials, however, found Mullins had used his whip one above the permitted level of seven from the final fence.

As the Grand National is deemed to be a Class One race under British rules, the usual penalty of four days for such an offence was doubled.

The 35-year-old Mullins was, therefore, suspended for eight days in April and May.

But the result of the Grand National remained unaltered, however, as is often the case with whip offences in British horseracing.

This is a situation critics believe encourages jockeys to break the rules, particularly in showpiece races such as the Grand National, rather than face the possible anger of owners, trainers and punters who might otherwise claim their horse has not been 'ridden out' fully in a finish.

L.Kwan--ThChM